Judge Natasha C. Merle
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Filings (All filings)
Required
Filings (Exhibits)
Upon Request • Binding: Tabbed Three Ring
Filings (>25 pages)
Required
Filings (>50 pages)
Required • Binding: Tabbed Three Ring
Adjournments
Must Include
- 1Reason For Request
- 2Proposed New Dates
- 3Adversary Position
- 4Original Date
- 5Proposed Rescheduled Date
Must Include
- 1Original Date
- 2Reason For Request
- 3Number Of Previous Requests
- 4Previous Requests Granted Or Denied
- 5Adversary Position
- 6Proposed New Dates
Must Include
- 1Reason For Request
- 2Original Date
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Letter Ecf
Chambers
Chambers
Detailed Drafting Rules
Plea agreements, sentencing sheets, and lists of elements must be emailed at least 3 days prior to the guilty plea hearing.
Email plea agreement or sentencing sheet and list of elements at least 3 days prior to hearing. Include copy of information if guilty plea expected.
Direct to: Chambers
Do not contact chambers with ECF technical questions.
Parties are advised not to contact chambers with questions regarding ECF registration, filing, or other technical issues.
Phone
Direct to: Chambers
- Status Inquiries
Courtesy copies required for submissions 25+ pages and certain motions regardless of length.
Parties shall deliver to chambers one (1) courtesy copy of the following submissions: a. all written submissions filed on ECF that are twenty-five (25) pages in length or more (inclusive of any exhibits or attachments); and b. regardless of page length, all (i) motions to dismiss, (ii) motions for summary judgment, (iii) motions to compel arbitration, and (iv) motions to remand to state court.
Courtesy Copies Required
Logistics
Submissions 50+ pages must be in a single three-ring binder with tabs, max 2 inches.
For submissions fifty (50) pages in length or more, all documents comprising a submission (i.e., memoranda, declarations, exhibits, etc.) must be submitted together, in a single three-ring binder with appropriately labeled tabs. For example, all exhibits must be identified and separated by corresponding numbered or lettered tabs. Binders must be appropriately sized for their contents, but they must not exceed 2 inches. Binder covers and spines must identify the case name, docket number, and the binder's contents.
Courtesy Copies Required
Logistics
Appearance
Contact Courtroom Deputy Alicia Guy at (718) 613-2355 for audio/video exhibit filing instructions.
Parties filing exhibits other than documents and images (e.g., audio or video files) must call Courtroom Deputy Alicia Guy at (718) 613-2355 for further instructions.
All chambers communications must be in writing and filed on ECF, with copies to non-ECF parties.
All communications with chambers shall be in writing and filed on ECF, with copies simultaneously delivered to all parties who do not receive automatic notification through ECF.
Letter via ECF
Direct to: Chambers
Fax and email communication with the Court requires prior authorization.
Parties may not communicate with the Court via fax and/or email without prior authorization.
Direct to: Chambers
- Status Inquiries
Courtroom Deputy Alicia Guy can be contacted by phone at (718) 613-2355 for docketing, scheduling, or calendar matters.
For docketing, scheduling, or calendar matters, please call Courtroom Deputy Alicia Guy at (718) 613-2355.
Phone
Direct to: Chambers
Ex parte telephone calls about case substance are prohibited.
Ex parte telephone calls to chambers about the substance of cases are not permitted.
Phone
Direct to: Chambers
- Status Inquiries
For submissions requiring immediate attention, file on ECF first then call chambers.
If a submission requires immediate attention—including for settlement shortly before hearing or conference—please file on ECF and then call chambers.
Phone
Direct to: Chambers
Pre-motion letter limited to 3 pages; opposing response limited to 3 pages and due within 7 days.
To request a pre-motion conference, the moving party shall file a letter-motion not to exceed three (3) pages in length setting forth the basis for the anticipated motion. Opposing parties, including pro se parties, shall file a response, not to exceed three (3) pages, within seven (7) days.
Pre-Motion Conference
A pre-motion conference is mandatory before filing. You must submit a letter first.
Letter Requirements
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.
Unless prior permission has been granted, memoranda of law in support of or in opposition to motions are limited to twenty-five (25) pages, double-spaced, and reply memoranda are limited to ten (10) pages, double-spaced. These page limits are exclusive of tables of contents, tables of authorities, appendices, and attachments.
Memoranda for motions for reconsideration are limited to 10 pages.
Memoranda in support of or in opposition to motions for reconsideration are limited to ten (10) pages.
Memoranda must use Georgia or Times New Roman 12-point font with 12-point footnotes and one-inch margins.
Parties may use Georgia or Times New Roman 12-point font, with footnotes in 12-point font, and one-inch margins.
Memoranda of 10 or more pages must include a table of contents and table of authorities.
Memoranda of ten (10) pages or more shall contain a table of contents and table of authorities.
Document Type
Brief
Parties must email PDF exhibits to chambers at least 10 days before the final pre-trial conference.
Parties shall email Merle_Chambers@nyed.uscourts.gov with a PDF file of each exhibit at least ten (10) days before the final pre-trial conference.
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requiredat least ten (10) days before the final pre-trial conference
Multi-page evidentiary documents must be paginated before trial, though existing Bates stamps or pagination may suffice.
Any document to be offered in evidence that contains multiple pages shall be paginated by counsel before trial, but any existing Bates stamps or other pagination may suffice.
AUSAs must call chambers at (718) 613-2355 to notify of new criminal case assignments, triggering scheduling of an initial pretrial conference.
Assistant United States Attorneys are responsible for informing chambers when a new case has been assigned to Judge Merle by calling Courtroom Deputy Alicia Guy at (718) 613-2355. Upon such notification, an initial pretrial conference will be scheduled.
Bail appeals require contacting Chambers to arrange a conference and providing transcript, submissions, and Pretrial Services report at least 2 business days before the conference.
A party who wishes to appeal an adverse bail determination by the Magistrate Judge should contact Chambers to arrange a conference for that purpose. The party that brings the appeal is directed to provide the Court no less than two (2) business days before the conference with the transcript of argument on bail before the Magistrate Judge, any written submissions below as to bail, and Pretrial Services' report as to the defendant.
Phone
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice RequiredDocuments must be provided no less than two (2) business days before the conference
Plea documents must be emailed to Merle_Chambers@nyed.uscourts.gov at least 3 days before change-of-plea hearing.
The parties must provide the Court with a copy of any plea agreement or sentencing sheet and a list of all elements at least three (3) days before a change-of-plea hearing. The documents should be sent by email to Merle_Chambers@nyed.uscourts.gov.
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice RequiredAt least three (3) days before change-of-plea hearing
Pro se litigants may only communicate with the Court in writing; fax and email require prior authorization.
Only communicate with the Court in writing, pursuant to Rule II.A.2 ("Parties may not communicate with the Court via fax and/or email without prior authorization.")
Letter via ECF
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice RequiredPrior authorization required for fax and email communications per Rule II.A.2