Eastern District of California Page & Word Limits

CRITICALCivil cases

Attorney limit

25 pages

Attorney limit

15 pages

Applies to

Brief

Moving/opposition briefs limited to 25 pages; reply briefs limited to 15 pages.

Unless prior leave of court is obtained, all moving and opposition briefs or legal memorandum in civil cases shall not exceed 25 pages. Reply briefs filed by moving parties shall not exceed 15 pages.

CRITICALCivil cases

Limit

25 pages

Limit

15 pages

Applies to

Brief

Moving/opposition briefs and legal memoranda limited to 25 pages; reply briefs limited to 15 pages; prior leave required for extensions.

Unless prior leave of court is obtained, all moving and opposition briefs or legal memorandum in civil cases shall not exceed 25 pages. Reply briefs filed by moving parties shall not exceed 15 pages.

CRITICALCivil cases

Attorney limit

25 pages

Attorney limit

15 pages

Applies to

Brief

Moving/opposition briefs limited to 25 pages; reply briefs limited to 15 pages.

All moving and opposition briefs or legal memoranda in civil cases shall not exceed twenty-five pages without prior leave of court. Reply briefs filed by moving parties shall not exceed fifteen pages.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Limit

25 pages

Limit

15 pages

Applies to

Brief

Moving/opposition briefs limited to 25 pages; reply briefs limited to 15 pages.

All moving and opposition briefs or legal memoranda in criminal cases shall not exceed twenty-five pages without prior leave of court. Reply briefs filed by moving parties shall not exceed fifteen pages.

CRITICALCivil cases

Attorney limit

25 pages

Attorney limit

35 pages

Attorney limit

20 pages

Attorney limit

10 pages

Cross summary judgment motions are limited to four briefs with page limits: 25 pages (plaintiff opening), 35 pages (defendant opposition/cross motion), 20 pages (plaintiff reply/opposition), 10 pages (defendant reply).

Only four briefs in support of cross motions for summary judgment shall be filed as follows: (1) Plaintiff’s opening brief (25 pages maximum), along with any other documents required or permitted under Local Rule 260, shall be filed at least fourteen (14) days before the dispositive motions filing deadline; (2) Defendant’s opposition and cross motion for summary judgment (35 pages maximum) shall be filed no later than fourteen (14) days after the motion was filed; (3) Plaintiff’s reply and opposition (20 pages maximum) shall be filed no later than fourteen (14) days after Defendant’s opposition and cross motion were filed; and (4) Defendant’s reply (10 pages maximum) shall be filed no later than ten (10) days after Plaintiff’s reply and opposition were filed.

CRITICALCivil cases

Limit

25 pages

Limit

15 pages

Applies to

Brief

Moving/opposition briefs limited to 25 pages, reply briefs to 15 pages, sur-replies and supplemental briefs prohibited without leave; extensions require good cause.

All moving and opposition briefs or legal memoranda in civil cases shall not exceed twenty-five pages without prior leave of court. Reply briefs filed by moving parties shall not exceed fifteen pages. The Court will grant an application to extend these page limitations only after good cause shown. Pages that exceed the page limitations without leave of court will not be considered. Finally, no supplemental briefs or sur-replies shall be filed and will not be considered without prior leave of court.

CRITICALCivil cases

Attorney limit

25 pages

Attorney limit

15 pages

Applies to

Brief

Civil briefs limited to 25 pages (support/opposition) and 15 pages (reply), TOC/TOA excluded.

All moving and opposition briefs or legal memoranda in civil cases shall not exceed twenty-five (25) pages without prior leave of court. Reply briefs filed by moving parties shall not exceed fifteen (15) pages. The page limit does not include the table of contents or table of authorities. A party may request a page limit increase by filing a written request setting forth any and all reasons for the request at least seven (7) days prior to the filing of the brief. The court will grant a request to extend the page limits only upon a showing of good cause. The court will not consider any pages in the brief that exceed the page limits without prior leave of court permitting an increased page limit.

CRITICALCivil cases

Limit

25 pages

Limit

20 pages

Limit

15 pages

Applies to

Brief

Cross-motions for summary judgment have sequential briefing with page limits: 25 pages (first two briefs), 20 pages (third brief), 15 pages (fourth brief).

The first two briefs are limited to twenty-five (25) pages, the third brief is limited to twenty (20) pages, and the fourth brief is limited to fifteen (15) pages.

CRITICALCivil cases

Limit

25 pages

Limit

10 pages

Applies to

Brief

In civil cases, moving and opposing briefs are limited to 25 pages and reply briefs to 10 pages; extensions require good cause, over-length briefs may not be considered, and supplemental briefs require prior leave of court.

Unless prior leave of court is obtained, no moving or opposing briefs or legal memoranda in civil cases shall exceed 25 pages. Reply briefs may not exceed 10 pages. Only for good cause shown will the court grant an application to extend these page limitations. Briefs that exceed the page limitations or are sought to be filed without leave of court may not be considered. Finally, no supplemental briefs may be filed without prior leave of court.

CRITICALCivil cases

Attorney limit

25 pages

Attorney limit

10 pages

Applies to

Brief

Civil briefs limited to 25 pages (support/opposition) and 10 pages (reply).

Unless leave of Court is granted in advance, no moving or opposing briefs or legal memoranda in civil cases, shall exceed 25 pages2. Reply briefs may not exceed 10 pages.

CRITICALCivil cases

Limit

25 pages

Limit

15 pages

Applies to

Brief

Briefs must use 12 pt font (footnotes 1 size smaller); moving/opposition briefs limited to 25 pages; reply briefs limited to 15 pages.

All briefs must be submitted using a font of no less than 12 pt. size. Footnotes must be no more than one size smaller than the text size. Moving and opposition briefs and legal memoranda in civil cases shall not exceed 25 pages without prior leave of court. Reply briefs filed by moving parties shall not exceed 15 pages.

CRITICAL

Limit

25 pages

Applies to

Joint statement

Joint Statements limited to 25 pages (excluding exhibits and tables).

Absent leave of court for good cause shown, the Joint Statement is limited to 25 pages, exclusive of exhibits and tables (if any).

CRITICAL

Attorney limit

2 pages

Applies to

Discovery synopsis

Informal telephonic discovery conferences require 2-page synopsis instead of Joint Statement.

resolve discovery disputes by conducting an informal telephonic conference. The procedures for obtaining and participating in an informal telephonic discovery conference are set forth in Judge Claire’s Policy re Informal Telephonic Discovery Conferences. These procedures include a meet and confer requirement (see above) and require a 2-page synopsis of the dispute in lieu of a formal Joint Statement.

CRITICAL

Limit

20 pages

Limit

10 pages

Non-discovery motions limited to 20 pages (initial/opposition) and 10 pages (reply), excluding TOC, table of cases, and exhibits.

Initial moving papers in non-discovery matters, and oppositions to such motions, are limited to 20 pages. Replies are limited to 10 pages. Page limits do not include the index or table of contents, table of cases, or exhibits (if any). Documents exceeding these limits without advance leave of court, for good cause shown, will be stricken without further notice.

CRITICAL

Attorney limit

2 pages

Applies to

Joint letter brief

Font

12 pt

Joint letter brief limited to 2 pages (12-point type) for discovery disputes.

The joint letter brief shall be no more than 2 pages in length, including any exhibits or attachments (which are discouraged), and shall be in at least 12-point type. Pages exceeding this limit will not be

CRITICALCivil cases

Attorney limit

25 pages

Attorney limit

10 pages

Applies to

Brief

Civil case briefs limited to 25 pages (support/opposition) and 10 pages (reply); courtesy copies required for papers over 25 pages.

Unless prior leave of Court is obtained seven days before the filing date, all moving and opposition briefs or legal memorandum in civil cases shall not exceed 25 pages. Reply briefs filed by moving parties shall not exceed 10 pages. Any briefing exceeding 10 pages shall include a table of contents and a table of authorities. Briefs that exceed the page limitations or are sought to be filed without leave may not be considered. If combined supporting papers or opposition papers exceed 25 pages, the parties are required to submit a complete set of all papers as chambers courtesy copy, properly tabbed and fastened.

CRITICAL

Attorney limit

2 pages

Applies to

Joint letter brief

Font

12 pt

Joint letter brief for discovery disputes limited to 2 pages in 12-point type.

The joint letter brief shall be no more than 2 pages in length, including any exhibits or attachments (which are discouraged), and shall be in at least 12-point type.

CRITICAL

Attorney limit

30 pages

Attorney limit

10 pages

Initial/opposition papers limited to 30 pages; replies to 10 pages; excludes TOC, tables, exhibits.

Page Limits: Initial moving papers in non-discovery matters, and oppositions to such motions, are limited to 30 pages. Replies are limited to 10 pages. Page limits do not include the index or table of contents, table of cases, or exhibits (if any). Documents exceeding these limits without advance leave of court, for good cause shown, may be stricken without further notice. These page limits also apply to discovery-related motions in prisoner cases only, which are exempt from the Joint Statement requirement of Local Rule 251.

CRITICALCivil cases

Limit

25 pages

Limit

30 pages

Limit

15 pages

Applies to

Brief

Social Security summary judgment briefs have specific page limits: 25 pages (plaintiff), 30 pages (commissioner), 15 pages (reply).

Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment is limited to 25 pages; the Commissioner’s opposition and cross-motion for summary judgment is limited to 30 pages; and Plaintiff’s optional reply brief is limited to 15 pages. All briefs must use a minimum of 12 point font, double-spaced.

CRITICALCivil cases

Attorney limit

20 pages

Attorney limit

10 pages

Applies to

Motion

Prisoner case motions limited to 20 pages, oppositions to 20 pages, replies to 10 pages. Exceeding limits without leave will not be considered.

all motions and oppositions in prisoner cases are limited to 20 pages, and replies are limited to 10 pages. Only in rare instances and for good cause shown will requests to expand these page limits. Any such requests must be filed in writing at least seven (7) days before the filing. The pages of motions filed that exceed the page limits without prior leave of court will not be considered.

CRITICALCivil cases

Limit

20 pages

Limit

10 pages

Applies to

Motion

Besides cross motions for summary judgment (see Section I.C), all other motions and oppositions are limited to 20 pages, and replies are limited to 10 pages.

Besides cross motions for summary judgment (see Section I.C), all other motions and oppositions are limited to 20 pages, and replies are limited to 10 pages.

CRITICALCivil cases

Limit

25 pages

Limit

10 pages

Applies to

Brief

Civil motion papers limited to 25 pages (support/opposition) and 10 pages (reply).

Length of Motion Papers - the parties are advised that unless prior leave of Court is obtained before the filing deadline, all moving and opposition briefs or legal memoranda filed in civil cases before Magistrate Judge Grosjean shall not exceed twenty-five (25) pages. Reply briefs by the moving party shall not exceed ten (10) pages. These page limits do not include exhibits. Parties may seek leave for additional pages through a telephonic conference with all parties, or by brief motion.

CRITICALCivil cases

Limit

3 pages

Applies to

Letter

Informal discovery dispute letter brief limited to 3 pages single-spaced plus 5 pages exhibits.

Prior to the conference, the parties shall simultaneously file an “Informal Discovery Dispute Letter Brief,” outlining their positions regarding the dispute. Such letters shall be no longer than three (3) pages single-spaced, and may include up to five (5) pages of exhibits.

CRITICAL

Limit

3 pages

Applies to

Dispute summary

The discovery dispute summary submitted with an informal conference request must be 2-3 pages and may not include exhibits or attachments.

Within 3 days of requesting an informal discovery dispute conference, the parties shall submit to the court and serve on opposing counsel a 2-3 page summary of the dispute. The parties' summaries (without exhibits or attachments) MUST be emailed to egcorders@caed.uscourts.gov.

CRITICAL

Limit

25 pages

Limit

10 pages

Applies to

Brief

Moving and opposition briefs in civil cases are limited to 25 pages and reply briefs to 10 pages unless prior leave of court is obtained seven days before the filing date; over-limit briefs without leave may not be considered.

Unless prior leave of Court is obtained seven days before the filing date, all moving and opposition briefs or legal memorandum in civil cases shall not exceed 25 pages. Reply briefs filed by moving parties shall not exceed 10 pages. Briefs that exceed the page limitations without leave may not be considered.

CRITICALCivil cases

Limit

3 pages

Applies to

Discovery dispute summary

Discovery dispute summaries must be 2-3 pages, exclude exhibits/attachments, be emailed to court and served on opposing counsel within 3 days of requesting an informal conference.

Within 3 days of requesting an informal discovery dispute conference, the parties shall submit to the court and serve on opposing counsel a 2-3 page summary of the dispute. The parties’ summaries (without exhibits or attachments) MUST be emailed to egcorders@caed.uscourts.gov.

CRITICALCivil cases

Limit

25 pages

Limit

10 pages

Applies to

Brief

Civil moving/opposition briefs are limited to 25 pages, reply briefs to 10 pages, unless prior leave is obtained 7 days before filing; exceeding limits without leave may result in the brief not being considered.

Unless prior leave of Court is obtained seven days before the filing date, all moving and opposition briefs or legal memorandum in civil cases shall not exceed 25 pages. Reply briefs filed by moving parties shall not exceed 10 pages. Briefs that exceed the page limitations without leave may not be considered.

CRITICALCivil cases

Attorney limit

4 pages

Applies to

Dispute synopsis

At least 48 hours before the conference, the parties shall jointly file synopsis of their dispute in a letter or memo format that does not exceed four pages (no exhibits or attachments).

At least 48 hours before the conference, the parties shall jointly file synopsis of their dispute in a letter or memo format that does not exceed four pages (no exhibits or attachments).

CRITICALCivil cases

Limit

30 pages

Applies to

Rule 251 statement

Rule 251 joint statements in civil cases before Judge Singer must be succinct and are limited to 30 total pages.

A joint statement required by Local Rule 251(c) shall be as brief and as succinct as possible to conserve judicial resources. Rule 251 joint statements submitted in civil cases before Judge Singer shall not exceed thirty (30) total pages.

CRITICALCivil cases

Attorney limit

25 pages

Attorney limit

10 pages

Applies to

Brief

Civil case briefs limited to 25 pages (moving/opposition) and 10 pages (reply).

Unless granted prior approval of the Court, parties are advised that all moving and opposition briefs and/or legal memoranda filed in civil cases shall not exceed twenty- five (25) pages. Reply briefs shall not exceed ten (10) pages. These pages do not include exhibits. Parties may seek leave for additional pages through a telephonic conference with all parties, or by brief motion.

CRITICALCivil cases

Attorney limit

3 pages

Applies to

Brief

Discovery motion briefs limited to 3 pages, attachments prohibited.

The brief shall not exceed three pages in length. Attachments are prohibited.

CRITICALCivil cases

Limit

20 pages

Applies to

Discovery motion

Discovery motions, responses, and replies limited to 20 pages (exhibits excluded).

Except for exhibits and other supporting documents, no discovery motion, response, or reply shall exceed 20 pages without leave of the court.

CRITICAL

Limit

20 pages

Limit

10 pages

Applies to

Brief

Non-summary judgment motions limited to 20 pages; replies limited to 10 pages.

Besides cross motions for summary judgment (see Section I.C), all other motions and oppositions are limited to twenty (20) pages, and replies are limited to ten (10) pages.

CRITICAL

Limit

25 pages

Limit

10 pages

Applies to

Brief

Moving/opposition briefs limited to 25 pages; reply briefs limited to 10 pages.

Unless prior leave of Court is obtained seven days before the filing date, all moving and opposition briefs or legal memorandum in civil cases shall not exceed 25 pages. Reply briefs filed by moving parties shall not exceed 10 pages.

CRITICALCivil cases

Attorney limit

25 pages

Attorney limit

10 pages

Applies to

Brief

Moving and opposition briefs in civil cases are limited to 25 pages; reply briefs are limited to 10 pages, unless prior leave is obtained 7 days before filing.

Unless prior leave of Court is obtained seven days before the filing date, all moving and opposition briefs or legal memorandum in civil cases shall not exceed 25 pages. Reply briefs filed by moving parties shall not exceed 10 pages.

CRITICALCivil cases

Limit

4 pages

Applies to

Joint letter brief

Joint letter brief for informal discovery conference must be filed 24 hours before, limited to 4 pages.

The parties shall file a joint letter brief, not to exceed four pages, at least 24 hours before the scheduled informal conference, unless otherwise ordered by the Court.

CRITICALCivil cases

Attorney limit

25 pages

Limit

10 pages

Applies to

Brief

Moving and opposition briefs limited to 25 pages; reply briefs limited to 10 pages.

Unless prior leave of Court is obtained before the filing date, all moving and opposition briefs or legal memorandum in civil cases shall not exceed twenty-five (25) pages. Reply briefs filed by moving parties shall not exceed ten (10) pages.

CRITICAL

Limit

2 pages

Applies to

Letter brief

Individual letter briefs limited to 2 pages if permitted by court.

Individual letter briefs will not be permitted, except in rare circumstances and only upon leave of the court. If permitted, individual letter briefs are limited to two pages and must include, in addition information detailed above, a description as to why a joint letter brief was unattainable.

CRITICAL

Limit

4 pages

Applies to

Letter brief

Four-page limit applies even for multiple disputes unless court grants leave.

Even if multiple discovery disputes are raised at the informal conference, the four-page limitation shall apply, unless prior leave of Court is obtained.

CRITICAL

Limit

4 pages

Deadline

24 hours

Applies to

Letter brief

Joint letter brief limited to 4 pages, due 24 hours before informal video conference.

The parties shall file a joint letter brief, not to exceed four pages, at least 24 hours (excluding holidays or weekends) before the scheduled informal video conference, unless otherwise ordered by the Court.

WARNINGCivil cases

Limit

2 pages

Applies to

Individual letter brief

Individual letter briefs are generally not permitted; if allowed by court, limited to 2 pages and must explain why joint brief was not possible.

Individual letter briefs will not be permitted, except in rare circumstances and only upon leave of the court. If permitted, individual letter briefs are limited to two pages and must include, in addition to the information detailed above, a description as to why a joint letter brief was unattainable.

WARNINGCivil cases

Limit

4 pages

Applies to

Joint letter brief

Four-page limit applies even for multiple discovery disputes, unless court grants leave.

Even if multiple discovery disputes are raised at the informal conference, the four-page limitation shall apply, unless prior leave of court is obtained.

CRITICALCivil cases

Attorney limit

25 pages

Attorney limit

10 pages

Memoranda limited to 25 pages (support/opposition) and 10 pages (reply).

Memoranda of law in support of and in opposition to a motion shall not exceed 25 pages. Reply memoranda shall not exceed 10 pages.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Attorney limit

20 pages

Attorney limit

10 pages

Applies to

Brief

Moving/opposition briefs limited to 20 pages; reply briefs to 10 pages; TOC/TAs excluded.

All moving and opposition briefs shall not exceed twenty (20) pages without prior leave of court. Reply briefs filed by moving parties shall not exceed ten (10) pages. The page limit does not include the table of contents or table of authorities. A party may request a page limit increase the filing of the brief. The court will grant a request to extend the page limits only upon a showing of good cause. The court will not consider any pages in the brief that exceed the page limits without prior leave of court permitting an increased page limit.

CRITICALCivil cases

Attorney limit

25 pages

Attorney limit

10 pages

Applies to

Brief

Moving and opposition briefs limited to 25 pages, reply briefs to 10 pages, unless prior leave is obtained 7 days before filing; non-compliant briefs may not be considered.

Unless prior leave of Court is obtained seven days before the filing date, all moving and opposition briefs or legal memorandum in civil cases shall not exceed 25 pages. Reply briefs filed by moving parties shall not exceed 10 pages. Briefs that exceed the page limitations or are sought to be filed without leave may not be considered.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Discovery motion

Discovery motions in prisoner cases subject to same page limits as non-discovery motions.

These page limits also apply to discovery-related motions in prisoner cases only, which are exempt from the Joint Statement requirement of Local Rule 251.

CRITICALCivil cases

Documents exceeding page limits without leave will not be considered.

Pages that exceed the page limits, supplemental briefs, or sur-replies filed without prior leave of court will not be considered.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Letter brief

Letter briefs exceeding page limits will be disregarded.

Letter briefs which exceed the page limitations set forth herein will be disregarded by the Court after the page limit is exceeded.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Brief

Briefs exceeding page limits or filed without leave may be disregarded.

Briefs that exceed the page limitations or are sought to be filed without leave may not be considered.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Brief

Page limits may be extended only for good cause; exceeding limits without leave may result in non-consideration.

Only for good cause shown will the court grant an application to extend these page limitations. Briefs that exceed the page limitations or are sought to be filed without leave of court may not be considered.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Motion

Page limit expansions and supplemental briefs require good cause and 7-day advance request.

Only in rare instances and for good cause shown will requests to expand these page limits or to file a supplemental brief or sur-reply be granted. Any such requests must be filed in writing at least seven (7) days before the filing.