A Practice Note addressing the procedure for commencing a special proceeding under Article 78 of New York's Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR) in New York State Supreme Court (the state's trial court of general jurisdiction). Article 78 proceedings replace the common law writs of mandamus, certiorari, and prohibition in New York. Parties commonly use these proceedings to obtain judicial review of administrative determinations. This Note covers drafting the documents required to commence a proceeding, choosing which commencement method to use, bringing the proceeding using a notice of petition, and bringing the petition using an order to show cause.