District of New Jersey Chambers Communication Rules

Letters to chambers must be filed via CM/ECF; no hard copies allowed; pro se parties exempt.

Source text: 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.

Cannot justify conduct by claiming law clerk or deputy said so

Source text: Communications from litigants purporting to justify litigants’ conduct because 'Your Honor’s law clerk [or Deputy] said . . .' are highly disfavored and are never appropriate as an explanation of litigants’ strategic or tactical choices.

Court will refuse telephone conferences for participants who are discourteous.

Source text: Failure to observe basic telephone courtesy will result in the Court’s refusal to use telephone conferences in matters involving the offending participants.

Counsel must provide cell and office phone numbers to the Court.

Source text: Counsel will provide their cell and office phone numbers to the Court.

Email to chambers requires copying chambers and filing redacted version on docket.

Source text: If a party believes it is necessary to email Chambers instead of filing on the CM/ECF docket (e.g., sentencing material submissions or sealed documents), they must copy Judge Padin’s chambers (chambers_of_judge_evelyn_padin@njd.uscourts.gov) on their email, and a redacted version of the materials must be filed on the docket.

Cell phones, cameras, and electronic devices are strictly prohibited in the courtroom.

Source text: Please note that all cell phones, cameras, and other electronic devices are strictly prohibited in this Courtroom. If a cellphone or other electronic device goes off during a Courtroom proceeding, the Courtroom Deputy may confiscate the device.

All communications with chambers must be via CM/ECF, not by phone.

Source text: All communications with Chambers shall be in writing via CM/ECF, and not by telephone.

All communications with chambers must be via CM/ECF letter filing; no hard copies allowed; pro se exempt.

Source text: 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.

Pro se parties must file documents directly with Clerk's Office, not chambers.

Source text: Parties appearing pro se must file all documents, applications, and motions directly with the Clerk’s Office, not Judge Neals.

Photography, audio/video recording, and broadcasting strictly prohibited in courtroom and adjacent areas.

Source text: Photography, use of audio or video recording devices, and use of broadcasting, online posting or streaming, or televising devices are strictly prohibited in the courtroom and areas immediately adjacent to it.

Violating electronic device rules results in confiscation and possible removal from courtroom/courthouse.

Source text: Any person violating the rules regarding electronic devices will have their devices confiscated and risk being removed from the courtroom or courthouse at the discretion of the court, U.S. Marshals Service, and/or Court Security Officers.

All communications with chambers must be filed via ECF; no hard copies.

Source text: All communications with Chambers shall be by letter electronically filed via ECF. No hard copies of letters shall be delivered to the Court. Pro se parties are exempt from this requirement.

Communications to the Court must be made in writing through CM/ECF.

Source text: All communications to the Court shall be in writing via CM/ECF.

Email communications are not accepted unless expressly authorized by the Court.

Source text: Mail, email, and fax communications will not be accepted or considered unless expressly authorized by the Court.

Settlement memoranda must be emailed to chambers at the listed address at least five business days before the conference.

Source text: Each party shall submit, by email to AME_orders@njd.uscourts.gov, a confidential settlement memorandum of no more than five double-spaced pages no later than five business days before the conference.

The joint proposed final pretrial order must be emailed to chambers at least five business days before the conference.

Source text: The parties shall submit, by email and regular mail, a copy of the joint proposed final pretrial order no later than five business days before the conference.

All communications must be via CM/ECF; phone calls only for administrative matters; mail/email/fax not accepted unless authorized.

Source text: All communications to the Court shall be in writing via CM/ECF. Telephone calls to chambers will be permitted as to administrative matters only or as otherwise directed by the Court. Mail, email, and fax communications will not be accepted or considered unless expressly authorized by the Court.

Final Pretrial Conference requires attorney with settlement authority and client availability.

Source text: In the event the Joint Final Pretrial Order is to be delivered to the court at the Final Pretrial Conference, the Order will be reviewed by the Magistrate Judge at the conference and entered upon the record. Another purpose of the Final Pretrial Order is to attempt to settle the action. For that reason, at that conference, each party must be represented by an attorney who is vested with full settlement authority. Clients are to be either present or on call so that any settlement proposals made at the conference can be immediately conveyed.

Bail-related emails to Court must copy USAO and Pretrial/Probation Officer.

Source text: In all email communications with the Court regarding bail, defense counsel shall copy the Assistant U.S. Attorney and the U.S. Pretrial Services Officer or U.S. Probation Officer assigned to the case.

Unopposed continuances must be emailed directly to Courtroom Deputy Alexus Wheeler.

Source text: Unopposed continuance orders must be emailed Directly to Courtroom Deputy Alexus Wheeler (Alexus_Wheeler@njd.uscourts.gov). The Order will be effective as of the date that the Court receives it.

Parties must immediately notify Court if case is settled or terminated.

Source text: The parties must advise this Court immediately if the action has been settled or terminated so that the Court may cancel the Initial Scheduling Conference.

All communications must be via CM/ECF; phone calls only for administrative matters; email/fax not accepted unless authorized.

Source text: All communications to the Court shall be in writing via CM/ECF, unless either 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.

Settlement memoranda must be emailed to JTQ_Orders@njd.uscourts.gov

Source text: Only settlement memorandum shall be submitted to the Court via email to JTQ_Orders@njd.uscourts.gov.

All communications must be via CM/ECF; phone calls only for administrative matters; email/fax not accepted unless authorized.

Source text: 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.

Confidential submissions must be emailed to specific address.

Source text: Confidential Submissions: Settlement letters and any discovery dispute letters containing information subject to a Discovery Confidentiality Order shall be submitted by email to SDA_orders@njd.uscourts.gov.

Bail requests require consultation with USAO and Pretrial Services.

Source text: Criminal Matters: The Court will not consider a request for bail or bail modification until after defense counsel has consulted with the U.S. Attorney's Office and U.S. Pretrial Services has assessed the proposed bail package.

Must consult relevant rules and docket before contacting court

Source text: Before corresponding with the Court, litigants must consult the relevant rules for the Third Circuit, the District of New Jersey, this document, and the docket on the CM/ECF system. Only after doing so is it appropriate to contact the Court.

Phone calls to chambers must provide name, case number, party represented, and question

Source text: When litigants call Chambers, they should let the Court know (1) their name(s); (2) the case name and civil action number on which they are calling; (3) the party(ies) they represent; and (4) their question.

Limited communication with law clerks only for administrative matters or emergencies

Source text: Judge Salas permits limited communications with her law clerks. Unless directed otherwise by the Court, litigants should never contact law clerks for advice on substantive or procedural matters other than of a very rudimentary nature (such as to confirm the Court’s administrative policies and procedures or to alert the Court of some actual emergency that cannot be timely handled by conventional correspondence or formal filings).

Participants must identify themselves and speak clearly during telephone conferences.

Source text: Litigants are reminded to be especially careful to avoid being discourteous during telephone conferences by failing to listen to other speakers, failing to identify themselves prior to each statement, failing to speak loudly or slowly enough to be heard, etc.

Immediate notification required for trial conflicts.

Source text: Litigants should notify the Court and opposing counsel immediately upon learning of any unavoidable and compelling professional or personal conflicts affecting the trial schedule.

Pro se litigants must file substantive correspondence on CM/ECF docket; ex parte/personal communications generally not accepted.

Source text: Pro se (unrepresented) litigants are advised that ex parte (one-sided) and/or personal communications and submissions are not advised and will generally not be accepted. All substantive correspondence with the Court should be filed on the CM/ECF docket. Any writings sent to the Court will generally be posted on the public CM/ECF docket.

Technology notification required 2 weeks before courtroom appearance.

Source text: If the parties intend to use electronic demonstrative evidence or need to set up/test technology in the courtroom, they must notify Judge Neals's Courtroom Deputy at least two (2) weeks before their scheduled appearance.

Wireless communication devices permitted in courtroom if silenced and not used to transmit/record/broadcast.

Source text: Electronic devices having a primary function of wireless communication, including but not limited to cell phones, laptops, and tablets, are permitted in the courtroom but must be silenced and may not be used to transmit, record, or broadcast audio or visual feeds, updates or messages in any form.

Telephone calls to chambers are limited to administrative matters unless the Court directs otherwise.

Source text: Telephone calls to chambers will be permitted as to administrative matters only or as otherwise directed by the Court.

Faxes to Chambers are prohibited.

Source text: Faxes to Chambers are not permitted.

Counsel must confer 48 hours before each court appearance.

Source text: Counsel must confer at least 48 hours in advance of each Court appearance to confirm attendance and to review any matters to be discussed with the Court.

Direct communication with law clerks limited to procedural matters only.

Source text: Communications with the Court: Direct communication with law clerks is permitted as to procedural matters only. All other communications shall be made via formal letter filed electronically via CM/ECF, unless otherwise directed by the Court.

Non-confidential correspondence must be filed via CM/ECF, not fax.

Source text: Correspondence and written submissions not containing confidential information: Shall be electronically filed via CM/ECF. Papers shall not be submitted by facsimile unless otherwise directed.

Contact Courtroom Deputy Art Roney for docketing/scheduling matters during business hours.

Source text: For docketing, scheduling, or calendar matters, please contact Courtroom Deputy Art Roney at (856) 757-5014 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Parties are encouraged to contact Chambers directly

Source text: the parties are encouraged to contact Chambers directly.

Motions are decided on papers without appearances unless otherwise notified.

Source text: The purpose of a motion’s return date or “motion day” is to determine the briefing schedule for that motion, Unless otherwise notified by the Court, Judge Kiel decides all motions on the papers and no appearances are required on the motion day.

Preliminary settlement approval hearing required before final approval in class actions.

Source text: It is Judge Kiel’s practice to conduct a preliminary settlement approval hearing in advance of the final settlement approval hearing required by Rule 23(e). At the preliminary approval hearing the parties shall be prepared to address, in a reasonably comprehensive manner, all of the factors the Court will consider at the final approval hearing, including but not limited to the factors enumerated in Rule 23(e), Girsh v. Jepson, 521 F.2d 153, 157 (3d Cir. 1975), and In re Prudential Ins. Co. Am. Sales Practice Litig. Agent Actions, 148 F.3d 283, 323 (3d Cir. 1998).

Scheduling matters should be directed to Courtroom Deputy

Source text: Communications with the Court about scheduling matters should be directed to Judge Salas’s Courtroom Deputy.

Moving party arranges telephone conferences and contacts chambers after all parties join.

Source text: Litigants will be notified of the date and time for the telephone conference. It will be the responsibility of litigants for the moving or initiating party to arrange the telephone conference and to contact Judge Salas’s Chambers after all litigants are present on the call unless otherwise advised by the Court.

Provide names and spelling when contacting chambers for conference calls.

Source text: When litigants contact Chambers for a conference call, litigants should recognize that the individuals who answer the phone are asking for names and spelling for a reason. The Courtroom Deputy or law clerks are recording the names for purposes of organizing the call and streamlining discussion.

Speak slowly and spell your name during conference calls.

Source text: Therefore, please speak slowly and spell your name so that the Judge knows who is participating during the call.

Identify yourself during calls with multiple parties.

Source text: Again, in cases involving numerous parties, litigants should remember to identify themselves during the call so that Judge Salas knows who is talking.

Hearings and arguments scheduled ad hoc, no specific days set aside.

Source text: Judge Salas does not set aside specific days or times for oral argument, motions, or evidentiary hearings. Hearings and arguments are scheduled on an ad hoc basis as warranted.

Contact Courtroom Deputy at least one week before trial to test equipment.

Source text: Should litigants wish to use equipment provided by the Court or to set up the Courtroom before their appearance to test the technology, please contact Judge Salas’s Courtroom Deputy at least one week prior to the start of trial.

Pretrial housekeeping conference scheduled before Judge Salas.

Source text: a pretrial housekeeping conference is scheduled before Hon. Esther Salas on [date]

Litigants must arrange transcripts directly with the court reporter.

Source text: It is a litigant’s obligation to make all necessary arrangements with Judge Padin’s Court Reporter, Fran DiBella (francesca_dibella@njd.uscourts.gov) for securing a transcript of the proceedings.

These procedures govern unless Judge Padin directs otherwise; deviations may be requested.

Source text: Parties are advised that this document governs proceedings in this Court, unless otherwise directed by Judge Padin. However, if other conflicts arise or if a deviation is appropriate, the Court is willing to entertain a prompt and reasonable request to depart from these Procedures.

Follow Third Circuit or District of New Jersey rules if conflicts arise.

Source text: As stated above, if conflicts arise between these Procedures and the rules for the Third Circuit or the District of New Jersey, please follow the rules of the Third Circuit or District of New Jersey.

Court emphasizes civility, punctuality, and courtesy from all litigants.

Source text: This Court puts a high premium on civility. To repeat comments set forth above, Judge Padin expects punctuality and courtesy from litigants to the Court and to each other, both in the presence of the Court and otherwise.

Litigants should contact Judge Padin’s staff for questions not addressed in these procedures.

Source text: It is this Court’s priority to provide prompt and efficient adjudication of justice. The Court looks forward to working with litigants to achieve this important goal, and hopes these Procedures aid litigants in that process. If litigants have a specific question on a matter not addressed above, litigants are encouraged to contact Judge Padin’s staff.

Criminal matters: contact courtroom deputy Nicole Ramos at (856) 757-5402, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM.

Source text: For criminal matters, please contact Courtroom Deputy Nicole Ramos at (856) 757-5402 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Confidential settlement and discovery dispute letters may be emailed to chambers at AME_orders@njd.uscourts.gov.

Source text: Settlement letters and discovery dispute letters containing information subject to a Discovery Confidentiality Order may be submitted to the Court by email to AME_orders@njd.uscourts.gov.

Call Chambers for urgent requests requiring attention within 48 hours.

Source text: If you have a request that requires attention within 48 hours, please call Chambers.

Email confidential information to specific addresses for civil vs criminal cases.

Source text: In civil cases, confidential information shall be sent via email to Chambers (jra_orders@njd.uscourts.gov). In criminal cases, confidential information shall be sent directly to Courtroom Deputy Alexus Wheeler (Alexus_Wheeler@njd.uscourts.gov).

Email criminal case confidential information to Courtroom Deputy Alexus Wheeler.

Source text: In criminal cases, confidential information shall be sent directly to Courtroom Deputy Alexus Wheeler (Alexus_Wheeler@njd.uscourts.gov).

Settlement letters and discovery dispute letters may be emailed to RLS_orders@njd.uscourts.gov

Source text: Confidential Submissions. Settlement letters and discovery dispute letters containing information subject to a Discovery Confidentiality Order may be submitted to the Court via email to RLS_orders@njd.uscourts.gov.