All local rules for D.N.J., integrated with this judge's published requirements.
Applications for emergency relief are returnable on the first regular motion day at least 24 days after filing, unless the court orders otherwise. Seek a court order for shorter timelines — the default emergency mechanism uses the standard motion-day count-back schedule. D.N.J. Civ. R. 65.1 ↗
Pro hac vice is governed by Civ. R. 101.1 — NOT Rule 83 (NJ-D's post-1997 numbering places admission rules in the 100s range). Local counsel association is generally required; local counsel signs pleadings and may be required to attend hearings. Local counsel is substantively responsible, not nominal. D.N.J. Civ. R. 101.1 ↗
A. Telephone Calls. Telephone calls to Chambers are permitted only in urgent situations requiring immediate attention. B. Docketing, Scheduling, or Calendar Matters. Please contact Courtroom Deputy Kimberly Darling at (973) 645-4732 for docketing, scheduling, or calendar matters. C. Letters. All communications with Chambers shall be by letter electronically filed via CM/ECF. No hard copies or courtesy copies of letters shall be delivered to the Court. Pro se parties are exempt from this requirement. D. Fax and Email. Chambers does not accept faxes or email.
40 pages maximum for main brief (excluding table of contents and authorities). If a 12-point proportional font is used instead of the required typeface, the limit is reduced by 25% to 30 pages. D.N.J. Civ. R. 7.2(b) ↗
40 pages maximum for brief in opposition (same limit applies to cross-motion briefs in opposition). D.N.J. Civ. R. 7.2(b) ↗
15 pages maximum for reply brief. Reduced to 11.25 pages if 12-point proportional font is used instead of the required typeface. D.N.J. Civ. R. 7.2(b) ↗
2. Motion Formatting Requirements - Judge Neals requires compliance with the page limitations and format requirements for briefs outlined in Local Civil Rule 7.2.
2. Motion Formatting Requirements - Judge Neals requires compliance with the page limitations and format requirements for briefs outlined in Local Civil Rule 7.2.
Black lettering; 8.5 x 11 inch paper; one-inch margins; double-spaced text; single-spaced footnotes. Typeface must be 12-point non-proportional (e.g., Courier New 12) or equivalent 14-point proportional (e.g., Times New Roman 14). Using a 12-point proportional font instead reduces all page limits by 25%. Footnotes must be the same size as text. D.N.J. Civ. R. 7.2(c)–(d) ↗
2. Motion Formatting Requirements - Judge Neals requires compliance with the page limitations and format requirements for briefs outlined in Local Civil Rule 7.2.
Motion and supporting brief must be filed at least 24 days before the noticed motion day. Opposition due at least 14 days before original motion day (Civ. R. 7.1(d)(2)). Motion day must be noted on the cover page of the motion. D.N.J. Civ. R. 7.1(d)(1) ↗
Motion days are the first and third Monday of each month, excluding holidays. Briefing deadlines count back from the noticed motion day — not forward from service. D.N.J. Civ. R. 78.1(a) ↗
Yes
All filed motions shall have annexed thereto a proposed order. If the proposed order does not adequately reflect the Court's ruling, the prevailing party, if directed by the Court, shall submit an order within seven days of the ruling on the motion on notice to all other parties. Unless the Court otherwise directs, if no specific objection to that order with reasons therefor is received within seven days of its receipt by the Court, the order may be signed. If such an objection is made, the matter may be listed for hearing at the discretion of the Court. D.N.J. Civ. R. 7.1(e) ↗
C. Proposed Orders. If any relief is being sought, a proposed order must accompany the CM/ECF filing.
A. Electronic Submissions. All parties, with the exception of pro se litigants, shall file all documents, in both civil and criminal matters, electronically via CM/ECF. All papers electronically filed shall be submitted in a text-searchable PDF format to the extent possible.
D. Confidential Information. Any documents filed under seal shall comply with Local Civil Rule 5.1.
No oral argument shall be heard except as permitted expressly by the judge assigned to hear the motion. If oral argument is required, parties are notified by the court. Argument may be conducted in open court or by telephone conference at the judge's discretion. Request for oral argument must be clearly marked on the first page of the notice of motion and/or brief. D.N.J. Civ. R. 78.1 ↗
A. Oral Argument. The only purpose of a motion's return date or "motion day" is to determine the briefing schedule for that motion. The Court generally will not hear oral argument on the return date. Rather, if the Court decides to hear oral argument on any issue, it will advise the parties of the argument date and time via CM/ECF.
B. Requests For Adjournments/Extensions. Requests for adjournments or extensions of time, other than those under Local Civil Rule 7.1(d)(5), must comport with Local Civil Rule 6.1 and include: (1) the date or dates sought to be extended; (2) the number of previous requests for extensions and the Court's rulings; (3) the basis for the current request; and (4) whether the adversary consents and, if not, the reasons given by the adversary for refusing to consent. If the requested extension affects any other scheduled dates, the request must list the proposed change for all other dates/deadlines.
Discovery applications may be presented by telephone conference call or letter to the judge before formal motion practice. File a formal discovery motion only after the telephone/letter mechanism has been attempted. Civ. R. 37.2 governs discovery motion sanctions per FRCP 37. D.N.J. Civ. R. 37.1 ↗