Section 1809-A. Procedures relating to corporations, associations, insurers and assignees

(a) Any corporation, including a municipal corporation or
  public benefit corporation, partnership, or association, which  has  its
  principal  office  in  the  city  of  New  York  and  an assignee of any
  commercial claim may  institute  an  action  or  proceeding  under  this
  article.
    (b) No person or co-partnership, engaged directly or indirectly in the
  business  of  collection and adjustment of claims, and no corporation or
  association, directly  or  indirectly,  itself  or  by  or  through  its
  officers,  agents or employees, shall solicit, buy or take an assignment
  of, or be in any manner interested in buying or taking an assignment  of
  a  bond, promissory note, bill of exchange, book debt, or other thing in
  action, or any claim or demand, with the intent and for the  purpose  of
  bringing an action or proceeding thereon under this article.
    (c)  A  corporation,  partnership  or association, which institutes an
  action or proceeding under this article shall be limited  to  five  such
  actions or proceedings per calendar month. Such corporation, partnership
  or  association  shall  complete  and  file  with the clerk the required
  certification, provided it is true and verified as to its  truthfulness,
  as  a prerequisite to the institution of an action or proceeding in this
  part of the court.
    (d) A corporation may appear as a party in any action brought pursuant
  to this article by an attorney as well as  by  any  authorized  officer,
  director  or employee of the corporation provided that the appearance by
  a non-lawyer on behalf of a corporation shall be  deemed  to  constitute
  the  requisite  authority  to  bind  the  corporation in a settlement or
  trial. The court or arbitrator may make reasonable inquiry to  determine
  the  authority  of  any  person  who  appears  for  the corporation in a
  commercial claims part case.