PA-ED — At a Glance
E.D. Pa. — Quick-reference summary of the most frequently needed rules for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Quick-reference summary of the most frequently needed rules for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Filing & Formatting
| Topic | Rule | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| District-wide page/word limits | Rule 7.1 | No district cap — check the assigned judge's standing order |
| ECF filing | Rule 5.1.2 | Mandatory for civil cases |
| Sealed filings | Rule 5.1.5 | Court order required (or federal statute prescribing seal) |
| § 2254 / § 2255 procedures | Rules 9.3, 22.4 | Specific procedural rules for non-capital habeas |
Motion Practice & Deadlines
| Topic | Rule | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Operating model | Rule 7.1 | Submission |
| Opposition due | Rule 7.1(c) | 14 days after service |
| Reply | (no district rule) | Per assigned judge's standing order |
| Brief format | Rule 7.1 | Formal motion track |
| Oral argument | Rule 7.1(f) | Papers; argument by request |
| Reconsideration | Rule 7.1(g) | 14 days after entry of order |
Discovery & Conferences
| Topic | Rule | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Meet and confer scope | Rule 26.1(f) | Discovery-only |
| MC format | (not specified) | Format unspecified at district level |
| Discovery materials filing | Rule 26.1(a) | NOT filed unless used |
| Trigger deadline | (none) | None at district level |
| Judicial pre-conference | (none) | Not required at district level |
Summary Judgment
| Topic | Rule | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| District 56.1 framework | (none) | No district-wide SMF requirement — judge-specific |
| FRCP 56 baseline | FRCP 56 | Governs as default |
| Per-judge requirements | (per judge) | Check assigned judge's standing order |
Appearances & Chambers
| Topic | Rule | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| PHV / Admission | Rule 83.5 | Admission to Practice; fee per court schedule |
| Sealing | Rule 5.1.5 | Court order required |
| Standing orders | Rule 1.1.1 | Available on paed.uscourts.gov |
| Individual practices | (per judge) | Heavy overlay |
Compliance Traps
| Topic | Rule | Watchpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Thin local rules / heavy judge overlay | (per judge) | #1 |
| No district length limit | Rule 7.1 | #2 |
| No district SMF framework | (no Rule 56.1 SMF) | #3 |
| Conferral certification | Rule 26.1(f) | #4 |
| Sealing requires court order | Rule 5.1.5 | #5 |