Court Rules
Common questions about Judge Rachel P. Kovner's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Rachel P. Kovner?

Courtesy copies are required only when requested by chambers. Physical courtesy copies of bundled motions should not be submitted unless the Court specifically directs otherwise.

View ruleSource: page 8, section B. Briefing Schedule

Does Judge Rachel P. Kovner require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Rachel P. Kovner's rules set a pre-motion procedure for rule 12, rule 56, venue change, and rule 15 leave. Pre-motion conferences are required for specified civil motions, with explicit exemptions for certain case categories and pro se matters.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Motions

What page or word limits apply to memorandum of law before Judge Rachel P. Kovner?

Judge Rachel P. Kovner's rule states these limits: 25 pages; 25 pages; 10 pages. Memoranda of law are limited to 25 pages for opening/opposition and 10 pages for replies.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Motions

What page or word limits apply to memorandum of law support or opposition before Judge Rachel P. Kovner?

Judge Rachel P. Kovner's rule states these limits: 25 pages. Excludes table of contents, table of authorities, exhibits, appendices, and attachments. Support and opposition memoranda are capped at 25 double-spaced pages, excluding specified components.

View ruleSource: page 8, section C. Memoranda of Law

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Rachel P. Kovner?

Judge Rachel P. Kovner's formatting rule includes word-processing files are mandatory for proposed orders, jury instructions, and similar filings.. Word-processing files are mandatory for proposed orders, jury instructions, and similar filings.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Court Filings

What must be included with submission filings before Judge Rachel P. Kovner?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Submissions citing record material must include evidentiary citations.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Motions

What must be included with proposed findings conclusions filings before Judge Rachel P. Kovner?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. After a non-jury trial, proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law must be filed within ten days, and responses are not allowed.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Post-Trial Procedures

How may parties contact Judge Rachel P. Kovner's chambers?

Parties may contact Judge Rachel P. Kovner's chambers by letter ecf only as allowed by the rule. Written communications with chambers must be filed on ECF.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Communications with Chambers

How does Judge Rachel P. Kovner handle sealed or redacted filings?

Judge Rachel P. Kovner's rules set procedures for sealed or redacted filings. Sealed filings must be filed on ECF as sealed documents.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Court Filings

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Rachel P. Kovner?

Requests should be made at least 48 hours in advance when this rule applies before Judge Rachel P. Kovner. Adjournment requests require at least 48 hours of advance notice.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Court Filings

Does Judge Rachel P. Kovner require motion papers to be bundled?

Yes. Judge Rachel P. Kovner requires bundling for covered papers. Under the Bundling Rule, movants serve full motion papers but file only a cover letter on ECF, and that cover-letter filing preserves timeliness.

View ruleSource: page 7, section B. Briefing Schedule

Does Judge Rachel P. Kovner encourage junior lawyer participation?

Yes. Judge Rachel P. Kovner's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. Oral argument is more likely when the arguing attorney has fewer than five years of experience.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Motions
Complete rules summary for Judge Rachel P. Kovner

Sealed filings must be filed on ECF as sealed documents.

Word-processing files are mandatory for proposed orders, jury instructions, and similar filings.

All submissions must be text-searchable.

Letter-style filings must identify the addressee and subject matter in the ECF header.

Adjournment requests require at least 48 hours of advance notice.

Written communications with chambers must be filed on ECF.

Phone calls to chambers for docketing, scheduling, or calendar issues should be directed to Tsz Chan at the listed number.

Urgent communications must be made to chambers by telephone.

Pre-motion conferences are required for specified civil motions, with explicit exemptions for certain case categories and pro se matters.

Briefing schedules are set at the pre-motion conference when applicable.

Parties are required to comply with the Court's bundling rule.

Memoranda of law are limited to 25 pages for opening/opposition and 10 pages for replies.

Submissions citing record material must include evidentiary citations.

Summary-judgment accompanying filings must comply with the Court's Local Rule 56.1 formatting and filing requirements.

Oral argument is more likely when the arguing attorney has fewer than five years of experience.

Sentencing adjournment applications must be filed at least five business days before sentencing.

Before trial, parties must provide three tabbed binders containing all exhibit copies.

After a non-jury trial, proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law must be filed within ten days, and responses are not allowed.

Counsel are required to file all documents electronically.

Pro se parties are exempt from e-filing, but represented parties in pro se cases must e-file and mail hard copies to the pro se litigant.

ECF filing assistance must be sought through the ECF helpline, not chambers staff.

A party filing under seal must file both the proposed sealed document(s) and a sealing motion on ECF according to EDNY instructions.

Proposed orders, jury instructions, and similar proposed writings must be filed on ECF and emailed to chambers in PDF and Word format, with specified exceptions unless requested.

Parties must email chambers at the specified address when submitting proposed orders, jury instructions, and similar proposed writings.

Written submissions and supporting materials must be text-searchable when practicable.

Letter-form filings must include both the addressee and subject matter in the ECF header.

Adjournment or extension requests must be written and include specified background and scheduling details.

When an adjournment or extension impacts other dates, revised dates should also be proposed.

Adjournment and extension requests must be made at least two working days in advance unless there is an emergency.

Adjournment requests made within 24 hours of an appearance must be filed on ECF and followed by a call to chambers.

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