New York: Supreme Court (Trial) => Appellate Division (App Div) => Court of Appeals(Highest Court in State). Also you are not entirely correct, in some circumstances, Appellate decisions are binding to ALL lower courts, and in some jurisdictions, they are binding on only those lower courts over which they have direct review. (So the Nassau County Supreme court wouldn't be bound by 1st Department Decisions, but New York County Supreme would. N.b. In New York, this is not the case -- Appellate Decisions from any department are binding provided that the department with direct review does not have conflicting precedent)