(a) Except as is otherwise provided in section fifty-three hundred four of this article or any controlling law of the United States, a court of this state shall recognize a foreign country judgment to which this article applies as conclusive between the parties to the extent that it grants or denies recovery of a sum of money.
§ 5303.Recognition enforcement, and proceedings.
Article 53. Recognition of Foreign Country Money Judgments · Last amended 2021 · Last verified July 21, 2026
In one sentenceCPLR 5303 requires New York courts to treat a qualifying foreign-country money judgment as conclusive unless a ground for non-recognition applies, and lets recognition be sought by suit, by motion, or within a pending action, within twenty years or the judgment's remaining life abroad.
Full Text of CPLR 5303
(b) If recognition of a foreign country judgment is sought as an original matter, the issue of recognition shall be raised by filing an action on the judgment or a motion for summary judgment in lieu of complaint seeking recognition of the foreign country judgment.
(c) If recognition of a foreign country judgment is sought in a pending action, the issue of recognition may be raised by counterclaim, cross-claim or affirmative defense.
(d) An action to recognize a foreign country judgment must be commenced within the earlier of the time during which the foreign country judgment is effective in the foreign country or twenty years from the date that the foreign country judgment became effective in the foreign country.
Plain-English Summary
This section states Article 53's central command: unless CPLR 5304 or a controlling federal law says otherwise, a New York court has to recognize a qualifying foreign country judgment as conclusive between the parties, to the extent it grants or denies recovery of a sum of money. Recognition here isn't a favor the court extends — it's the default rule.
The article also lays out two paths for raising recognition. A party seeking recognition as an original matter files an action on the judgment or a motion for summary judgment in lieu of complaint. A party who wants recognition decided within a case already underway can raise it by counterclaim, cross-claim, or affirmative defense instead.
A time limit runs alongside both paths. An action to recognize a foreign country judgment has to be commenced within the earlier of the time the judgment remains effective in the foreign country, or twenty years from the date it became effective there — whichever comes first cuts off the claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a New York court decide whether to recognize a foreign country's money judgment?
It must recognize the judgment as conclusive unless one of the mandatory or discretionary grounds for non-recognition in CPLR 5304 applies.
How do you ask a New York court to recognize a foreign money judgment?
As an original matter, by filing an action on the judgment or a motion for summary judgment in lieu of complaint. Within a pending case, by counterclaim, cross-claim, or affirmative defense.
How long do you have to bring an action to recognize a foreign country judgment in New York?
The earlier of the time the judgment remains effective in the foreign country or twenty years from the date it became effective there.
Is recognition of a foreign money judgment automatic?
It's the default rule, but only so long as none of CPLR 5304's grounds for non-recognition, or a controlling federal law, applies.
Can recognition of a foreign judgment be raised as a defense in an existing lawsuit?
Yes. Recognition sought in a pending action can be raised by counterclaim, cross-claim, or affirmative defense.
Amendment History
Add, L 1970, ch 981, § 1, eff Sept 1, 1970; L 2021, ch 127, § 4, effective June 11, 2021.
Source & verification. Provision text, History, and Advisory
Committee Notes are reproduced verbatim from the Consolidated Laws of New York.
Last verified July 21, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: recognize foreign country money judgment New Yorkhow to enforce foreign judgment New Yorkmotion for summary judgment in lieu of complaint foreign judgmentstatute of limitations foreign judgment recognition