Courtesy copies are required only when requested by chambers. Three copies of tabbed binders containing all exhibits and witness lists must be delivered by the Friday before trial.
Judge Natasha C. Merle's rules set a pre-motion procedure for rule 12, rule 56, venue change, compel arbitration, and remand. Pre-motion conference required before filing Rule 12, Rule 56, venue change, compel arbitration, or remand motions, with exemptions for habeas, prisoner, social security, and bankruptcy cases.
Judge Natasha C. Merle's rule states these limits: 25 pages. Excludes table of contents, table of authorities, appendices, and attachments. Memoranda of law in support or opposition are limited to 25 pages; reply memoranda are limited to 10 pages, exclusive of TOC, TOA, appendices, and attachments.
Judge Natasha C. Merle's rule states these limits: 10 pages. Memoranda for motions for reconsideration are limited to 10 pages.
Judge Natasha C. Merle's formatting rule includes text searchable. All submissions must be text-searchable to the extent practicable.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Objections to presentence reports must be filed at least 7 days before sentencing and must specify language and paragraph numbers.
The rule requires proposed order. Proposed orders and similar documents must be filed on ECF and emailed in PDF and Word format.
Parties may contact Judge Natasha C. Merle's chambers by email only as allowed by the rule. Plea agreements, sentencing sheets, and lists of elements must be emailed at least 3 days prior to the guilty plea hearing.
Judge Natasha C. Merle's rules set procedures for sealed or redacted filings. Process: file redacted on ecf. Motions to seal must be filed via ECF with proposed sealed documents attached.
Requests should be made at least 10 business days in advance when this rule applies before Judge Natasha C. Merle. The request must include reason for request, proposed new dates, and adversary position. Adjournment applications for sentencing must be filed at least 10 business days before sentencing, with responses due 6 business days prior.
Yes. Judge Natasha C. Merle requires bundling for covered papers. Bundling required: serve full papers on parties but file only cover letters via ECF until fully briefed, then file all papers.
Yes. Judge Natasha C. Merle's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. The Court encourages attorneys with 6 or fewer years of experience to participate in oral argument and permits multiple attorneys to argue for one party.
Courtesy copies must include ECF stamp at top of page.
Courtesy copies must be double-sided and bound on the left.
Adjournment applications for sentencing must be filed at least 10 business days before sentencing, with responses due 6 business days prior.
Three copies of tabbed binders containing all exhibits and witness lists must be delivered by the Friday before trial.
Objections to presentence reports must be filed at least 7 days before sentencing and must specify language and paragraph numbers.
Plea agreements, sentencing sheets, and lists of elements must be emailed at least 3 days prior to the guilty plea hearing.
All submissions must be text-searchable to the extent practicable.
Do not contact chambers with ECF technical questions.
Motions to seal must be filed via ECF with proposed sealed documents attached.
Proposed orders and similar documents must be filed on ECF and emailed in PDF and Word format.
Letter filings must identify addressee and subject matter in ECF header.
Courtesy copies required for submissions 25+ pages and certain motions regardless of length.
Submissions 50+ pages must be in a single three-ring binder with tabs, max 2 inches.
Adjournment and extension requests must be in writing via ECF with specific required elements.
Adjournment and extension requests require 2 business days advance notice unless emergency.
Adjournments affecting other dates must include proposed revised dates.
Criminal adjournment requests have additional requirements regarding new dates and Speedy Trial Act time exclusions.
Adjournment and extension requests must be filed in writing on ECF.
Contact Courtroom Deputy Alicia Guy at (718) 613-2355 for audio/video exhibit filing instructions.
All chambers communications must be in writing and filed on ECF, with copies to non-ECF parties.
Fax and email communication with the Court requires prior authorization.
Courtroom Deputy Alicia Guy can be contacted by phone at (718) 613-2355 for docketing, scheduling, or calendar matters.
Ex parte telephone calls about case substance are prohibited.
For submissions requiring immediate attention, file on ECF first then call chambers.
The Court encourages attorneys with 6 or fewer years of experience to participate in oral argument and permits multiple attorneys to argue for one party.
Habeas record must include either a table of contents or an index.
Pre-motion conference required before filing Rule 12, Rule 56, venue change, compel arbitration, or remand motions, with exemptions for habeas, prisoner, social security, and bankruptcy cases.
Pre-motion letter limited to 3 pages; opposing response limited to 3 pages and due within 7 days.
Rule 56 pre-motion letters must attach LR 56.1 statement; responses must attach counter-statement.
Bundling required: serve full papers on parties but file only cover letters via ECF until fully briefed, then file all papers.