Legal Question in Family Law in New York

Re: preliminary conferences for divorces

It depends upon the individual practice of the judge involved.

However, because of the sensitive nature of some of the details of a case, often they are not held in the courtroom - unless the courtroom is large enough to allow for some space between the parties and those awaiting their turn.

Remember that a preliminary conference is primarily for the purpose of defining what the contested issues in a case are and for working out scheduling details - it is not a hearing on the substance of allegations.

Whether it is held in chambers or somewhere else really doesn't matter.