Court Rules
Common questions about Judge Steven I. Locke's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Steven I. Locke?

Courtesy copies are required when a filing is > 15 pages. Details: delivery upon filing. Courtesy hard copies are required for letter motions when total pages with exhibits or attachments exceed 15.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Electronic Case Filing (ECF)

Does Judge Steven I. Locke require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Steven I. Locke's rules set a pre-motion procedure for discovery and other. For discovery or other non-dispositive motions, parties must try in good faith to resolve disputes in person or by phone before filing a motion.

View ruleSource: page 5, section Motions > A. i. Letter Motions

What page or word limits apply to letter motion before Judge Steven I. Locke?

Judge Steven I. Locke's rule states these limits: 3 pages. Excludes attachments. Letter motions are limited to three pages, excluding attachments.

View ruleSource: page 5, section Motions > A. i. Letter Motions

What page or word limits apply to opposition before Judge Steven I. Locke?

Judge Steven I. Locke's rule states these limits: 3 pages. Excludes attachments. Opposition responses to letter motions are limited to three pages (excluding attachments) and must be filed within four days.

View ruleSource: page 5, section Motions > A. i. Letter Motions

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Steven I. Locke?

Judge Steven I. Locke's formatting rule includes 12 point type, double spacing and margins top 1 inches, bottom 1 inches, left 1 inches, right 1 inches. Memoranda of law must use one-inch margins, double spacing, and 12-point font.

View ruleSource: page 7, section Motions

What must be included with affidavit or affirmation filings before Judge Steven I. Locke?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Affidavits or affirmations that include legal argument are not permitted.

View ruleSource: page 7, section Motions

What must be included with summary judgment motion filings before Judge Steven I. Locke?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. A summary judgment movant must serve specified motion documents including a Rule 56.1 statement, notice of motion, and initial memorandum.

View ruleSource: page 7, section Summary Judgment Motions in Cases on Consent to Judge Locke

How may parties contact Judge Steven I. Locke's chambers?

Parties may contact Judge Steven I. Locke's chambers by letter ecf only as allowed by the rule. Letters seeking court intervention, including adjournment or extension requests, must be filed on ECF under Motions rather than Other Documents.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Electronic Case Filing (ECF)

How does Judge Steven I. Locke handle sealed or redacted filings?

A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings before Judge Steven I. Locke. Prior court permission is required before filing documents under seal.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Electronic Case Filing (ECF)

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Steven I. Locke?

Requests should be made at least 2 business days in advance when this rule applies before Judge Steven I. Locke. Adjournment and extension requests must be filed as written electronic motions at least two business days before the appearance unless there is an emergency.

View ruleSource: page 3, section B. Requests for Adjournments or Extensions of Time

Does Judge Steven I. Locke require motion papers to be bundled?

Yes. Judge Steven I. Locke requires bundling for covered papers. Under the Bundle Rule, motion papers are filed only after full briefing and all papers are filed electronically on the same date by the moving party.

View ruleSource: page 5, section Motions > C. ii. Filing of Motions with the Court
Complete rules summary for Judge Steven I. Locke

For non-criminal questions, parties should contact Chambers at (631) 712-5720.

Letters seeking court intervention, including adjournment or extension requests, must be filed on ECF under Motions rather than Other Documents.

Prior court permission is required before filing documents under seal.

Courtesy hard copies are required for letter motions when total pages with exhibits or attachments exceed 15.

Courtesy hard copies are required for referred or noticed motions and must be labeled Courtesy Copy with the ECF docket number.

ECF filing questions should be directed by phone to the listed clerk contact number.

Required ex parte settlement statements must not be ECF-filed and may be sent by email to the Courtroom Deputy.

Adjournment and extension requests must be filed as written electronic motions at least two business days before the appearance unless there is an emergency.

Adjournment and extension requests must include the original date, reason, party consent position, and count of prior requests.

Adjournment requests for court proceedings must provide alternative dates when all parties are available.

Extension requests must show good cause and include a proposed amended scheduling order when appropriate.

For discovery or other non-dispositive motions, parties must try in good faith to resolve disputes in person or by phone before filing a motion.

Letter motions are limited to three pages, excluding attachments.

Opposition responses to letter motions are limited to three pages (excluding attachments) and must be filed within four days.

Letter motion briefing requires opposition within four days and does not permit replies.

All letters must use one-inch margins, single spacing, and 12-point font.

No pre-motion conference is required for these non-dispositive motion procedures.

Under the Bundle Rule, motion papers are filed only after full briefing and all papers are filed electronically on the same date by the moving party.

Legal argument must appear in a memorandum of law.

Reply memoranda are limited to 10 pages.

Memoranda that are 10 pages or longer must include a table of contents.

Case citations in memorandum bodies must include pinpoint citations.

Memoranda of law must use one-inch margins, double spacing, and 12-point font.

Affidavits or affirmations that include legal argument are not permitted.

After ECF filing, one hard-copy courtesy set of motion papers must be submitted with specific marking and tabbing requirements, subject to a dispositive-motion exception.

Specified motion categories are exempt from the Bundle Rule.

For summary judgment in represented-party cases, a pre-motion letter is required and no pre-motion conference is required.

A summary judgment movant must serve specified motion documents including a Rule 56.1 statement, notice of motion, and initial memorandum.

Summary judgment documents must comply with Rule 4(C) and Local Civil Rule 56.1 or they will be rejected.

In represented-versus-pro-se summary judgment cases, the movant must serve a Local Civil Rule 56.2 notice and include that notice in the moving papers.

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