GA-ND — Motion Practice

GA-ND is a submission court with default-papers oral argument and an express restriction on letter communications.

Mechanics

• Standard motion practice (LR 7.1): Submission model. Counsel files the motion; opposition and reply per LR 7.1.
• Response (LR 7.1(B)): 14 days after service of the motion (21 days for motions for summary judgment).
• Reply (LR 7.1(C)): 14 days after service of the responsive pleading. A reply is permitted but not required as routine practice.
• Page limits (LR 7.1(D)): 25 pages (motion / response); 15 pages (reply). See §1 Formatting & Page Limits.
• Oral argument (LR 7.1(E)): *'Motions will be decided by the Court without oral hearing, unless a hearing is ordered by the Court.'*
• Letter communications (LR 7.4): Communications to judges seeking a ruling or order, including an extension of time, shall be by motion and not by letter. *'A letter seeking such action ordinarily will not be treated as a motion.'*
• Specific motions (LR 7.2): Motions pending on removal (7.2(A)); emergency motions to waive time requirements (7.2(B)); motions to compel discovery (7.2(C); see LR 37.1); motions for summary judgment (7.2(D); see LR 56.1); motions for reconsideration (7.2(E)); Daubert motions (7.2(F); see LR 26.2(C)).
• Emergency motions (LR 7.2(B)): *'Upon written motion and for good cause shown, the Court may waive the time requirements of this rule and grant an immediate hearing on any matter requiring such expedited procedure.'* The mechanism is a procedural-acceleration rule (waiving time requirements / granting an immediate hearing), not a separate substantive emergency-relief rule.
• Oral rulings (LR 7.3): The court may rule orally.
• Applications to judges in chambers (LR 7.5): When an attorney seeks an immediate order of the Court, the application is submitted to the assigned district judge.

For the traps on letter restrictions and default-papers oral argument, see Watchpoints #1 and #3.

For the rule, see the N.D. Ga. Civil Local Rules.