Court Rules
senior Judge
Verified Current9 days ago

Judge Harvey Bartle III

Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

Motion
25 pgs
Discovery Motion
5 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Filings (Motion, Brief)

Required

Filings (Exhibits)

Required

Filings (Jury Instructions)

Required

Communication

Letter Ecf

Chambers

No Status Inquiries
Phone

Chambers

Scheduling
No Status Inquiries
Chambers Copy

Chambers

Scheduling
Advance Notice Required
Chambers

Chambers

Advance Notice Required
Filters:AllMandatoryImportantCommunicationDiscoveryConferencesMemorandaJuryLettersElectronics

Detailed Drafting Rules

Communication ProtocolImportant

Correspondence allowed for extensions and scheduling only, not for substantive matters.

Counsel may write to Judge Bartle to request an extension of time and for all matters pertaining to scheduling. Judge Bartle does not permit correspondence in lieu of formal discovery or contested motions or other substantive matters which should be made of record.

Letter via ECF

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
SchedulingEmergenciesStatus InquiriesTechnical Issues
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 1
|SecPreliminary General Matters
Communication ProtocolNote

Law clerks may relay information but cannot give legal advice.

Judge Bartle has no objection if law clerks are used as vehicles for relaying information to the Court. He does not permit law clerks to give advice to counsel.

Letter via ECF

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
SchedulingEmergenciesStatus InquiriesTechnical Issues
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 1
|SecPreliminary General Matters
Communication ProtocolImportant

Telephone conferences for scheduling, extensions, and discovery motions; counsel must place the call.

Judge Bartle will use telephone conferences for scheduling changes, extensions of time, and similar matters. He often has conference calls on discovery motions. Judge Bartle requests that counsel or a conference call operator place the call.

Phone

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
SchedulingEmergenciesStatus InquiriesTechnical Issues
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 1
|SecPreliminary General Matters
Page or Word LimitMandatory

Supporting and opposition briefs limited to 25 pages; reply briefs limited to 15 pages.

Except with leave of Court for good cause shown, no supporting brief and no brief in opposition shall exceed twenty-five (25) pages and no reply brief shall exceed fifteen (15) pages.

Page 4
|SecMotion Practice
Page or Word LimitMandatory

Discovery motions limited to 5 pages with form of order.

However, if after making a good faith effort, counsel are unable to resolve a disputed issue, counsel for the aggrieved party shall file with the Court a motion in conformity with Local Civil Rule 26.1(b), with a form of order, and short brief not to exceed five (5) pages describing the disputed issue(s).

Page 5
|SecDiscovery Disputes
Communication ProtocolNote

Judge provides proposed jury instructions to counsel before charge conference.

Judge Bartle provides counsel with a copy of proposed jury instructions for review in advance of a charge conference.

Chambers Copy

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Scheduling
Requirements
  • Advance Notice Required
    before_charge_conference
Page 12
|SecWritten Jury Instructions
Communication ProtocolNote

Juror interviews permitted after verdict, but jurors have no obligation to speak.

Judge Bartle permits counsel to interview the jurors after the verdict has been recorded and the jury has been discharged. However, jurors are told they are under no obligation to speak with counsel.

Letter via ECF

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Status Inquiries
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 14
|SecCriminal Cases
Communication ProtocolImportant

Counsel must discuss matters with opposing counsel before bringing to Judge's attention.

In general, Judge Bartle expects counsel to bring matters to his attention only after they have been discussed with opposing counsel.

Chambers

Approved Topics
Status Inquiries
Requirements
  • Advance Notice Required
    discuss_with_opposing_counsel_first
Page 16
|SecOTHER GENERAL MATTERS