Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Judge Gerald Austin McHugh -- United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse, 601 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
description
Motions decided on papers — no hearings held
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. No separate SMF for MSJ. Judge McHugh requires all facts to be embedded directly in the brief body with record citations. Filing a traditional separate numbered SMF will not comply with his format.
- 2. Oral argument is granted only if it would facilitate resolution -- this is a higher bar than many EDPA judges. Do not expect argument as a matter of practice.
- 3. Discovery oral argument follows the same standard: granted only if it would facilitate resolution of the specific dispute.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | No standard motion hearing calendar. Judge McHugh decides motions on the papers. Oral argument scheduled only if it would facilitate resolution of the dispute. |
| Motion Limit | No individual page-limit rule published. Check the scheduling order for case-specific limits. |
| Reply Limit | Reply brief available without leave of court. No individual page limit published. Check the scheduling order. [Judge McHugh Individual Practices -- Reply] |
| Chambers Copies | ✗ Not required Not published. |
| Tentative Rulings | Not issued. E.D. Pa. does not use a tentative ruling system. |
| Remote Appearances | No published individual procedures. Follow any case-specific scheduling order. |
| Discovery | All discovery disputes referred to the assigned magistrate judge. [E.D. Pa. L.R. 72.1] |
Procedural Briefing by Motion Type
C.D. Cal. · Standing Orders
Procedural Requirements
Key Traps
Compare to Other C.D. Cal. Judges
Procedural facts only. Judges shown to illustrate variance in this district.
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Before You File
Motion Days & Times
No standard motion hearing calendar. Judge McHugh decides motions on the papers. Oral argument scheduled only if it would facilitate resolution of the dispute.
Notice Period
Per E.D. Pa. L.R. 7.1(c): response due within 14 days of service. Reply available without leave of court. [E.D. Pa. L.R. 7.1(c)]
Motion Page / Word Limit
No individual page-limit rule published. Check the scheduling order for case-specific limits.
Opposition Limit
No individual page-limit rule published. Check the scheduling order for case-specific limits.
Reply Limit
Reply brief available without leave of court. No individual page limit published. Check the scheduling order. [Judge McHugh Individual Practices -- Reply]
Font & Formatting
Per E.D. Pa. L.R. 5.1.2: double-spaced, 12-point font.
Footnote Policy
Not specified in individual procedures.
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
✗ Not required
Not published.
Proposed Orders
Per E.D. Pa. L.R. 7.1(a): required with every motion. [E.D. Pa. L.R. 7.1(a)]
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Before the Hearing
Tentative Rulings
Not issued. E.D. Pa. does not use a tentative ruling system.
Prohibition / Ex Parte Contact Re Tentatives
N/A.
Oral Argument
Scheduled only if the court finds argument would facilitate resolution. No automatic right per E.D. Pa. L.R. 7.1(f). [Judge McHugh Individual Practices -- Oral Argument] [E.D. Pa. L.R. 7.1(f)]
Remote Appearances
No published individual procedures. Follow any case-specific scheduling order.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
No ex parte contact with chambers. Written motions or the court's scheduling channels only.
Discovery Referral
All discovery disputes referred to the assigned magistrate judge. [E.D. Pa. L.R. 72.1]
Discovery Dispute Procedure Submission-first
Governed by the assigned magistrate judge's individual practices.
Ex Parte Applications
No published individual procedures. Follow Federal Rules and any case-specific order.
Settlement Notification
No published individual procedures. Follow any case-specific scheduling order.
Lead Counsel
Not specified.
Under Seal Filings
Per E.D. Pa. L.R. 5.1.5.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
File a motion with good cause. No published individual procedures.
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AI & Style Preferences
AI Disclosure Requirement
Not specified.
Additional Notes
Judge Gerald Austin McHugh. PDF at mchpol.pdf. Unique MSJ format: no separate SMF -- all facts must be embedded in the brief with pinpoint record citations. Reply is available without leave. Oral argument granted only when it would facilitate resolution.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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