judge console · E.D. Pa.
E.D. Pa. · Judge Reid · Practice Guide

Hon. Scott W. Reid

All local rules for E.D. Pa., integrated with this judge's published requirements.

Before You File
Contacting chambers
👤 Judge Reid — standing order

Judge Reid permits counsel to communicate with his courtroom deputy and law clerks on scheduling and administrative matters, but never on the merits of a case.

Drafting the Motion
Length limits — motion, opposition, reply
🏛 E.D. Pa. local rule
Motion

Silent on page limits for civil motions. The local rules set no district-wide page limit for motions or supporting briefs. Each judge's individual practices govern; consult the assigned judge's chambers procedures. E.D. Pa. L.R. 7.1 ↗

Opposition

Silent on page limits for opposition briefs. The local rules set no district-wide page limit. Each judge's individual practices govern. E.D. Pa. L.R. 7.1 ↗

Reply

Silent on page limits for reply briefs. The local rules set no district-wide page limit. Each judge's individual practices govern. E.D. Pa. L.R. 7.1 ↗

👤 Judge Reid — standing order
Motion

Memoranda must not exceed twenty-five (25) pages in length (excluding table of contents and appendices), must be double spaced and must use 12-point Times New Roman font. Memoranda over fifteen (15) pages in length must include a table of contents and table of authorities.

Reply

Judge Reid will permit reply briefs not to exceed fifteen (15) pages. Judge Reid will not normally permit sur-reply briefs and counsel desiring to file a sur-reply must first seek permission of the Court before such a brief will be accepted.

Filing & Scheduling
Briefing schedule & hearing date
🏛 E.D. Pa. local rule
Notice period

Response to motion due within 14 days of service E.D. Pa. L.R. 7.1(c) ↗

Hearing days

Calendar control and other matters affecting the conduct of court business shall be governed by written policy statements on file in the Clerk's Office, which may be adopted or modified by the court in the implementation of the local rules (but not in derogation thereof), and also in the implementation of operating agreements that may be in effect between this court and certain other courts concerning conflicting engagements of counsel, recognition of busy-slips, and the like. E.D. Pa. L.R. 40.3 ↗

Chambers / courtesy copies
👤 Judge Reid — standing order
Details

Judge Reid requires a courtesy copy of all motions papers to be sent directly to Chambers.

Proposed orders
🏛 E.D. Pa. local rule

Proposed order required with every motion E.D. Pa. L.R. 7.1(a) ↗

Filing under seal
👤 Judge Reid — standing order

Judge Reid will approve confidentiality or sealing orders for good cause shown. See Pansy v Borough of Stroudsburg, 23 F.3d 772 (3d Cir. 1994). Such orders must contain this language: "the Court retains the right to allow disclosure of any subject covered by this stipulation or to modify this stipulation at any time in the interest of justice."

The Hearing
Oral argument
🏛 E.D. Pa. local rule

Oral argument at court's discretion; no automatic right E.D. Pa. L.R. 7.1(f) ↗

👤 Judge Reid — standing order
Default practice

Judge Reid will schedule oral argument on motions if it appears likely to be helpful to the Court's resolution of the matter. Counsel may request oral argument if considered appropriate.

Continuances & calendar conflicts
👤 Judge Reid — standing order

Because counsel will have substantial input in the setting of dates in the Rule 16 Order, Judge Reid expects counsel to comply with the dates set out in that Order. Extensions will be entertained upon a good cause showing that circumstances beyond the reasonable expectation of counsel have hampered the progress of the case. Judge Reid requires a letter brief requesting an extension. In most cases, extensions will only be considered after a conference with the Judge.

Discovery
Discovery referral procedure
🏛 E.D. Pa. local rule

Discovery disputes referred to assigned magistrate judge E.D. Pa. L.R. 72.1 ↗

Discovery dispute procedure
👤 Judge Reid — standing order

Judge Reid expects the parties to resolve discovery disputes without Court intervention. Should counsel be unable, in good faith, to resolve their dispute, Judge Reid permits contact with the Court through his courtroom deputy to set up telephone or chambers conferences to resolve outstanding issues. The use of motion practice in discovery matters is discouraged.

Know Before You Go
👤 Judge Reid — deviations that burn people
  • If any attorney for a party, or a pro se party (in both civil and criminal cases), has used generative Artificial Intelligence ("AI")--including but not limited to ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, or any other program that uses machine learning to create new content--in a citation of any legal authority filed with the Court, and assigned or referred to Judge Scott W. Reid, then they MUST, in a clear and plain factual statement, disclose that generative AI has been used to assist with the citation of legal authority, disclose what specific generative AI program was used, and CERTIFY that each and every citation of legal authority has been verified as accurate.
  • ...
  • Judge Reid will not normally permit sur-reply briefs and counsel desiring to file a sur-reply must first seek permission of the Court before such a brief will be accepted.
content assembled from published local rules & standing orders · click any section in the rail for the full treatment
Get updates on Judge Reid's procedures
Standing order changes, new key traps, and C.D. Cal. practice intelligence.