I'm not ready to study at Cornell Law this 2009-10 academic year. Does anybody know how to defer?

Erm, you just need to email the admissions office and inform them of your wish to defer, and explaining your reasons for a deferment.

Deferments are not unusual, and most schools deal with them on a case by case basis.

You must to give a solid reason for the deferment and normally they require you to accept the admission offer and pay the initial deposit if applicable.

Yeah, good question you pose here.
I know that some schools (for example, GULC) allow provided you pay a deposit and promise not to pursue admission in any other schools.
But other than those cases (i.e., in most cases), that are some good reasons to justify a deferral? Is lack of funds enough? Is a familiar problem sufficiently serious for them? Do you have to provide substantial evidence supporting what you're saying?

Hi think that lack of financing is clearly a good reason but as said above by my colleagues, you need to pay the deposit and to undertake not to apply to any other law schools. Obviously every school may have a different policy.
I have the impression that there will be many deferals this year...so they may review their policies. But one thing they cannot do is force you to go this year if you can't or don't want to. I imagine that the issue is more sensitive if you have received some kind of financial grant or tuition waiver but as you do not mention it, I assume it's not the case...Hope that helps.