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 ↗
12. Settlement Conferences. Trial counsel as well as persons with full settlement authority must appear at settlement conferences, unless prior permission has been granted to participate by telephone.
1. Communications with the Court. All communications to the Court shall be in writing via CM/ECF, unless otherwise directed or permitted by the Court. Telephone calls to chambers will be permitted as to administrative matters only or as otherwise directed by the Court. Email and fax communications will not be accepted or considered unless expressly authorized by the Court.
12. Settlement Conferences. Trial counsel as well as persons with full settlement authority must appear at settlement conferences, unless prior permission has been granted to participate by telephone. The parties must exchange a demand and offer before the settlement conference. Each party shall submit, by email to RLS_orders@njd.uscourts.gov, a confidential settlement memorandum of no more than ten (10) double-spaced pages no later than five (5) business days before the conference.
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) ↗
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) ↗
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) ↗
8. Motions to Seal. Motions to seal must comply with Local Civil Rule 5.3(c) and must include a proposed order and proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law. In addition, the proposed order must include reference to the docket entries the party seeks to seal. Counsel shall make every effort to secure the consent of all parties regarding the request to seal and the movant shall certify as to whether all parties consent in its application.
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 ↗
Yes — motions decided on the papers without oral argument.
2. Adjournments. Conferences are scheduled with ample notice to the parties. Adjournment requests shall only be considered if made at least two (2) business days prior to a scheduled conference. The party seeking an adjournment should attempt to gain the consent of all other parties before submitting said request. The request should be made in writing via CM/ECF as a letter request.
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 ↗
5. Discovery Disputes and Applications. Discovery disputes and applications shall proceed in accordance with Local Civil Rules 16.1 and 37.1 prior to the making of a formal motion. In cases in which all parties are represented by counsel, counsel shall meet and confer in good faith pursuant to Local Civil Rule 37.1. If the parties are unable to resolve the dispute through fulsome meet and confers, they shall raise the dispute to the Court's attention through a joint letter that sets forth: (a) the request; (b) the response; (c) efforts to resolve the dispute; (d) the position of the complaining party; (e) the position of the responding party; and, if applicable, (f) the efforts of a party to contact a non-responsive party to meet and confer and submit the joint letter. No further letter submissions regarding the dispute may be submitted without leave of Court. All letters shall be filed via CM/ECF, unless such letters contain information subject to a Confidentiality Order, in which case they may be filed under seal with an appropriate motion pursuant to Local Civil Rule 5.3 or via email to RLS_orders@njd.uscourts.gov. In cases involving a party proceeding pro se, discovery disputes shall be raised by formal motion filed on the Court's docket.