Court Rules

District of New Jersey Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

65 rules from official source documents

Pre-motion conference and letter requirements before filing motions, including sequential steps. This page is scoped to District of New Jersey; use the court rules overview to switch categories without leaving this court.

Chief Judge Renée Marie BumbdnjCRITICAL

Pre-motion letter (max 3 single-spaced pages) required before specific motions.

Source text: before filing a motion to dismiss, motion for a more definite statement, motion to remand, motion for change of venue, motion for judgment on the pleadings, or, in certain cases specifically identified by the Court, motion for summary judgment, a party must submit a letter, not to exceed three (3) single-spaced pages, requesting a pre-motion conference.

Chief Judge Renée Marie BumbdnjCRITICAL

Response to pre-motion letter must be submitted within 5 business days (max 3 single-spaced pages).

Source text: Within five (5) business days after receipt of this letter, all adversaries must submit a written response, not to exceed three (3) single-spaced pages.

Chief Judge Renée Marie BumbdnjCRITICAL

Pre-motion letter submission tolls the deadline to file motion or answer.

Source text: A party’s submission of a pre-motion letter will toll that party’s time to file its motion (or answer) through (i) the date of the pre-motion conference or (ii) the Court’s decision not to conduct such a conference.

Chief Judge Renée Marie BumbdnjCRITICAL

If no pre-motion conference is held, party gets 5 additional business days to file motion.

Source text: If the Court determines that a pre-motion conference would not be helpful and instructs a party to proceed with filing its proposed motion without a conference, that party shall have an additional five (5) business days to file its motion after its deadline pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(a) (or Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56(b), where applicable), unless additional time is so stipulated or the Court so orders.

Chief Judge Renée Marie BumbdnjCRITICAL

Summary judgment motions prohibited in ANDA patent cases; waiver available via 3-page letter.

Source text: Chief Judge Bumb does not permit the filing of summary judgment motions in ANDA patent cases. A party may, however, submit a letter to the Court, not to exceed three (3) single-spaced pages, seeking a waiver of this rule if the party believes that a summary judgment motion would assist the Court in expeditiously resolving the case and would resolve more than mere tangential issues.

Chief Judge Renée Marie BumbdnjCRITICAL

Adversaries must respond to ANDA patent case waiver letter within 5 business days.

Source text: Within five (5) business days after receipt of this letter, all adversaries must

Judge Christine P. O'HearndnjCRITICAL

Pre-motion conference required before specific motions (max 3 single-spaced pages).

Source text: In an effort to resolve cases expeditiously, before bringing a motion to dismiss, motion for a more definite statement, motion to remand, motion for change of venue, motion to compel arbitration, or motion for judgment on the pleadings, a party must submit a letter, not to exceed three (3) single-spaced pages, requesting a pre-motion conference. The letter must set forth the basis for the anticipated motion and include citations to relevant authority.

Judge Christine P. O'HearndnjCRITICAL

Adversaries must respond to pre-motion letter within 7 days (max 3 single-spaced pages).

Source text: Within seven (7) days after receipt of this letter, all adversaries must submit a written response, not to exceed three (3) single-spaced pages. No party may submit a reply letter unless directed by the Court. Affidavits and exhibits are not permitted unless directed by the Court.

Judge Edward S. KieldnjCRITICAL

ANDA patent cases prohibit summary judgment motions except by waiver letter (3 pages) with 7-day response.

Source text: Judge Kiel does not permit the filing of summary judgment motions in ANDA patent cases. A party may, however, submit a letter to the Court, not to exceed three single-spaced pages, seeking a waiver of this rule if the party believes that a summary judgment motion would assist the Court in expeditiously resolving the case and would resolve more than mere tangential issues. The letter must set forth the basis for the proposed motion for summary judgment, with citations to relevant authority, and the issue(s) expected to be resolved by the motion. Within seven days after receipt of this letter, all adversaries must submit a written response, not to exceed three single-spaced pages. No party may submit a reply unless directed by the Court.

Judge Esther SalasdnjCRITICAL

Formal motions require leave of court except as permitted by Local Rule 12.1.

Source text: Except as permitted by Local Rule 12.1, no formal motions may be filed without leave of Court.

Judge Esther SalasdnjCRITICAL

Reply briefs are prohibited for certain motion types unless Court permits.

Source text: Replies are generally permitted pursuant to Local Civil Rule 7.1(d). However, according to Local Civil Rule 7.1(d)(3), no reply papers shall be filed concerning motions for Cross-Motion under Local Civil Rule 7.1(h); Reconsideration under Local Civil Rule 7.1(i); Case Management under Local Civil Rule 16.1(g)(2); and Discovery under Local Civil Rule 37.1(b)(3), unless the Court permits otherwise.

Judge Esther SalasdnjCRITICAL

TRO requests require prompt hearing and pre-hearing conference.

Source text: Judge Salas will promptly hold a hearing for any request for a temporary restraining order (“TRO”) assigned to her. She will typically hold a pre-hearing conference to discuss the emergent issue(s) in contention and to allocate time for the hearing. Expedited discovery may be discussed and, when appropriate, ordered at the conclusion of the pre-hearing conference.

Judge Esther SalasdnjCRITICAL

All pre-trial motions including Daubert and in limine motions must be fully briefed and filed 45 days before trial.

Source text: NOTE: ALL PRE-TRIAL MOTIONS INCLUDING DAUBERT AND IN LIMINE MOTIONS SHALL BE FULLY BRIEFED AND FILED NO LATER THAN FORTY-FIVE (45) DAYS PRIOR TO TRIAL or AS OTHERWISE ORDERED BY THE COURT. Only those motions listed herein will be entertained prior to trial.

Judge Georgette CastnerdnjCRITICAL

Reply letters only if directed by court.

Source text: No party may submit a reply letter unless directed by the Court.

Judge Georgette CastnerdnjCRITICAL

Affidavits and exhibits not permitted unless directed.

Source text: Affidavits and exhibits are not permitted unless directed by the Court.

Judge Georgette CastnerdnjCRITICAL

Pre-motion conference required for specific motions (max 3 pages).

Source text: before bringing a motion to dismiss, motion for a more definite statement, motion to remand, motion for change of venue, motion to compel arbitration, or motion for judgment on the pleadings, a party must submit a letter, not to exceed three (3) single-spaced pages, requesting a pre-motion conference.

Judge Georgette CastnerdnjCRITICAL

Pre-motion letter must include basis and citations.

Source text: The letter must set forth the basis for the anticipated motion and include citations to relevant authority.

Judge Georgette CastnerdnjCRITICAL

Adversaries must respond within 5 business days (max 3 pages).

Source text: Within five (5) business days after receipt of this letter, all adversaries must submit a written response, not to exceed three (3) single-spaced pages.

Judge Georgette CastnerdnjCRITICAL

Summary judgment motions prohibited in ANDA patent cases.

Source text: The Court does not permit the filing of summary judgment motions in ANDA patent cases.

Judge Jamel K. SemperdnjCRITICAL

Motions in limine must be filed 4 weeks before trial; responsive papers 3 weeks before.

Source text: Any motions in limine must be submitted to the Court at least four weeks before the start of trial. Any responsive papers shall be submitted at least three weeks before the start of trial.

Judge Julien Xavier NealsdnjCRITICAL

Pre-motion letter (max 3 single-spaced pages) required before certain motions.

Source text: before bringing a motion to dismiss, a motion for a more definite statement, or a motion for judgment on the pleadings, a party must submit a letter, not to exceed three (3) single-spaced pages, requesting a pre-motion conference.

Judge Julien Xavier NealsdnjCRITICAL

Response to pre-motion letter must be filed within 7 days (max 3 single-spaced pages).

Source text: Within seven (7) days after receipt of this letter, all adversaries must submit a written response, not to exceed three (3) single-spaced pages.

Judge Robert KirschdnjCRITICAL

Pre-motion letter (max 3 single-spaced pages) required before specific motions.

Source text: before bringing a motion to dismiss, motion for a more definite statement, motion to remand, motion for change of venue, or motion for a judgment on the pleadings, a party must submit a letter, not to exceed three (3) single-spaced pages, requesting a pre-motion conference.

Judge Robert KirschdnjCRITICAL

Meet and confer required within 7 days of pre-motion letter.

Source text: Within seven (7) days of the filing of this letter, the movant and all adversaries must meet and confer regarding the issues and substance of the movant's letter in an attempt to resolve some or all of the issues therein.

Judge Robert KirschdnjCRITICAL

Adversaries may file 3-page objection letter within 7 days of meet and confer.

Source text: If the matter remains unresolved following the parties' meet and confer, all adversaries may file, if they so choose, within seven (7) days of the meet and confer, a letter, not to exceed three (3) single-spaced pages, setting forth their objections to the movant's original letter and certifying the parties' meet and confer efforts.

Judge Robert KirschdnjCRITICAL

Adversaries must file objection letter within 7 days or be precluded.

Source text: In the event an adversary does not file a letter within seven (7) days, they will be precluded from filing a letter that the Court will consider at the pre-motion conference.

Judge Robert KirschdnjCRITICAL

Reply letters only permitted if directed by Court.

Source text: No party may submit a reply letter unless directed by the Court.

Judge Robert KirschdnjCRITICAL

Affidavits and exhibits prohibited unless Court directs.

Source text: Affidavits and exhibits are not permitted unless directed by the Court.

Judge Robert KirschdnjCRITICAL

Pre-motion letter tolls filing deadline until conference or Court's decision.

Source text: A party's submission of a pre-motion letter will toll that party's time to file its motion (or answer) through (i) the date of the pre-motion conference or (ii) the Court's decision not to conduct such a conference.

Judge Robert KirschdnjCRITICAL

7 additional days to file if Court waives conference.

Source text: If the Court determines that a pre-motion conference would not be helpful and instructs a party to proceed with filing its proposed motion without a conference, that party shall have an additional seven (7) days to file after its Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(a) deadline, unless additional time is stipulated or the Court so orders.

Judge Robert KirschdnjCRITICAL

Pre-motion procedure does not apply to pro se, bankruptcy, or social security cases.

Source text: This letter exchange procedure does not apply in cases in which either side is pro se or in bankruptcy or social security appeals.

Magistrate Judge André M. EspinosadnjCRITICAL

Formal motions require prior leave of Court except Rule 12 motions, timely remand motions, and motions expressly allowed by the Case Management Order.

Source text: Other than motions filed under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12, motions to remand within the time provided by 28 U.S.C. § 1447(c), and motions expressly permitted by this Case Management Order, formal motions shall not be filed without prior leave from this Court.

Magistrate Judge André M. EspinosadnjCRITICAL

A pro hac vice application without consent must be filed as a formal motion.

Source text: If not consented, the party making the application must proceed by motion.

Magistrate Judge André M. EspinosadnjCRITICAL

Discovery motions require leave of court and prior compliance with Local Rules 16.1 and 37.1 before filing.

Source text: Discovery motions may be filed only upon leave of Court and only after the parties have proceeded in accordance with Local Rules 16.1 and 37.1.

Magistrate Judge André M. EspinosadnjCRITICAL

Third-party subpoena enforcement or quash motions do not require meet-and-confer, but still require leave of court before filing.

Source text: Motions to secure enforcement of a subpoena or to quash a subpoena involving third parties may be made without meeting and conferring, but counsel must obtain leave of Court before filing any such motion.

Magistrate Judge André M. EspinosadnjCRITICAL

Formal motions require prior leave from court except for Rule 12 motions, timely remand motions, and those expressly permitted.

Source text: Other than motions filed under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12, motions to remand within the time provided by 28 U.S.C. § 1447(c), and motions expressly permitted by this Case Management Order, formal motions shall not be filed without prior leave from this Court.

Magistrate Judge Andrea D. BergmandnjCRITICAL

Motions require email leave request to Angela DiAndrea with proposed schedule.

Source text: Any party seeking to file motions shall seek leave of court by email to courtroom deputy Angela DiAndrea and shall provide, whenever possible, a proposed briefing and hearing schedule that has been consented to by opposing counsel.

Magistrate Judge J. Brendan DaydnjCRITICAL

Most formal motions require prior leave of court, except Rule 12 motions, timely remand motions, and motions to amend.

Source text: Other than (i) motions filed under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12, (ii) motions to remand within the time provided by 28 U.S.C. § 1447(c), (iii) motions to amend a pleading; and (iv) motions expressly permitted by this Order, formal motions shall not be filed without prior leave of Court.

Magistrate Judge José R. AlmontednjCRITICAL

Discovery motions require leave of court.

Source text: No discovery motion shall be filed without leave of the Court.

Magistrate Judge José R. AlmontednjCRITICAL

Meet and confer required before discovery disputes.

Source text: The parties shall meet and confer in good faith to resolve any discovery disputes prior to raising those disputes with the Court.

Magistrate Judge José R. AlmontednjCRITICAL

Joint letter (max 10 pages) required after meet and confer.

Source text: If the parties are unable to reach a resolution after meeting and conferring, they may file one joint letter not to exceed 10 pages, exclusive of exhibits.

Magistrate Judge Justin T. QuinndnjCRITICAL

Formal motions require prior leave from the court, except for Rule 12 motions, timely remand motions, and those expressly permitted.

Source text: Other than motions filed under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12, motions to remand within the time provided by 28 U.S.C. § 1447(c), and motions expressly permitted by this Case Management Order, formal motions shall not be filed without prior leave from this Court.

Magistrate Judge Justin T. QuinndnjCRITICAL

Leave required for dispositive motions via letter application.

Source text: Any party intending to file a dispositive motion must first seek leave of the Court by way of a letter application. All calendar or dispositive motions, if permitted, shall comply with L. Civ. R. 7.1(b) and 78.1.

Magistrate Judge Justin T. QuinndnjCRITICAL

Prior leave of court required for all motions.

Source text: No motion, including discovery motions, shall be made without prior leave of Court.

Magistrate Judge Stacey D. AdamsdnjCRITICAL

Pre-motion letter (max 3 pages) required before most motions, with 1-week response window.

Source text: No formal motions are permitted unless leave of court is first obtained, except for motions under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b) or motions to remand that must be filed within thirty days of removal pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1447(c). When seeking leave, the moving party must first submit a letter, no longer than three pages, summarizing the party’s argument and certifying what attempts have been made to meet and confer with the adversary to resolve the dispute. Within one week of the moving party’s letter, the opposing party must submit a letter, no longer than three pages, summarizing the party’s argument in opposition.

Chief Judge Renée Marie BumbdnjWARNING

Pre-motion letter requirement does not apply to pro se cases or bankruptcy/social security appeals.

Source text: This letter exchange does not apply in cases in which either side is pro se or in bankruptcy or social security appeals.

Chief Judge Renée Marie BumbdnjWARNING

Reply letters to pre-motion letters are not permitted unless directed by the Court.

Source text: No party may submit a reply letter unless directed by the Court.

Chief Judge Renée Marie BumbdnjWARNING

Affidavits and exhibits are not permitted in pre-motion letters unless directed by the Court.

Source text: Affidavits and exhibits are not permitted unless directed by the Court.

Judge Evelyn PadindnjWARNING

Oral argument may be permitted on substantive motions; letter-motions discouraged but require attorney certifications.

Source text: Judge Padin may permit oral argument on a substantive motion in a criminal case. Judge Padin disfavors the submission of letter-motions. Parties should submit attorney certifications alongside letter-motions to the extent they feel letter-motions are warranted in lieu of a formal notice of motion.

Judge Julien Xavier NealsdnjWARNING

Reply letters to pre-motion correspondence only allowed if directed by court.

Source text: No party may submit a reply letter unless directed by the Court.

Judge Julien Xavier NealsdnjWARNING

Affidavits and exhibits prohibited in pre-motion letters unless court directs otherwise.

Source text: Affidavits and exhibits are not permitted unless directed by the Court. However, a proffer by the attorney of the contents of any such affidavit(s) and/or exhibit(s) shall suffice.

Magistrate Judge Justin T. QuinndnjWARNING

Replies to discovery disputes require leave of court.

Source text: Replies are not permitted without leave of Court.

Chief Judge Renée Marie BumbdnjINFO

Proffer of affidavit/exhibit contents by attorney is permitted in pre-motion letters.

Source text: A proffer by the attorney, however, of the contents of any such affidavit(s) and/or exhibit(s) shall suffice.

Judge Christine P. O'HearndnjINFO

Pre-motion letter tolls filing deadline until conference date or Court's decision not to hold conference.

Source text: A party’s submission of a pre-motion letter will toll that party’s time to file its motion (or answer) through (i) the date of the pre-motion conference or (ii) the Court’s decision not to conduct such a conference.

Judge Christine P. O'HearndnjINFO

Letter exchange procedure does not apply to pro se cases or bankruptcy/social security appeals.

Source text: This letter exchange does not apply in cases in which either side is pro se or in bankruptcy or social security appeals.

Judge Esther SalasdnjINFO

Motion practice follows Local Civil Rule 7.1 except as specified.

Source text: Except as set forth here, motion practice will be conducted in accordance with Local Civil Rule 7.1.

Judge Georgette CastnerdnjINFO

Judge decides motions on papers; no appearances required.

Source text: Judge Castner decides all motions on the papers and no appearances are required on the motion day.

Judge Georgette CastnerdnjINFO

Pre-motion letter tolls filing deadline until conference or court decision.

Source text: A party’s submission of a pre-motion letter will toll that party’s time to file its motion (or answer) through (i) the date of the pre-motion conference or (ii) the Court’s decision not to conduct such a conference.

Judge Georgette CastnerdnjINFO

7 additional days to file if no conference is held.

Source text: If the Court determines that a pre-motion conference would not be helpful and instructs a party to proceed with filing its proposed motion without a conference, that party shall have an additional seven (7) days to file after its Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(a) deadline.

Judge Georgette CastnerdnjINFO

Pre-motion letter exchange doesn't apply to pro se, bankruptcy, or social security cases.

Source text: This letter exchange does not apply in cases in which either side is pro se or in bankruptcy or social security appeals.

Judge Georgette CastnerdnjINFO

3-page letter may seek waiver of summary judgment prohibition.

Source text: A party may, however, submit a letter to the Court, not to exceed three (3) single-spaced pages, seeking a waiver of this rule if the party believes that a summary judgment motion would assist the Court in expeditiously resolving the case and would resolve more than mere tangential issues.

Judge Julien Xavier NealsdnjINFO

Pre-motion letter filing tolls deadline to file motion or answer.

Source text: A party’s submission of a pre-motion letter will toll that party’s time to file its motion (or answer) through (i) the date of the pre-motion conference or (ii) the Court’s decision not to conduct such a conference.

Judge Julien Xavier NealsdnjINFO

If no pre-motion conference, party gets 7 additional days to file motion after Rule 12(a) deadline.

Source text: If the Court determines that a pre-motion conference would not be helpful and instructs a party to file its proposed motion without a conference, that party shall have an additional seven (7) days to file after its Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(a) deadline, unless additional time is stipulated or the Court so orders.

Judge Julien Xavier NealsdnjINFO

Pre-motion letter requirement does not apply to bankruptcy appeals, social security appeals, MDL cases, or pro se cases.

Source text: This letter exchange does not apply to bankruptcy appeals, social security appeals, cases seeking transfers based on Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) orders, or cases in which either side is appearing pro se.

Judge Robert KirschdnjINFO

One-time 5-day automatic extension available for meet and confer.

Source text: If the parties require additional time to meet and confer, there will be a one-time automatic extension of five (5) days upon request by any party.

Common questions about District of New Jersey pre-motion conference requirements

Does District of New Jersey require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

District of New Jersey rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. Formal motions require prior leave of Court except Rule 12 motions, timely remand motions, and motions expressly allowed by the Case Management Order.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Formal motions

Does District of New Jersey require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

District of New Jersey rules set a pre-motion procedure for discovery. Discovery motions require leave of court and prior compliance with Local Rules 16.1 and 37.1 before filing.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Discovery extensions, disputes, and motions

Does District of New Jersey require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

District of New Jersey rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. Reply letters only if directed by court.

View ruleSource: page 2, section II. Civil Motion Practice

Does District of New Jersey require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Yes. A pre-motion letter is required for covered motions in District of New Jersey. Details: 3 pages. 3-page letter may seek waiver of summary judgment prohibition.

View ruleSource: page 2, section II. Civil Motion Practice