Court Rules
district Judge
Verified Current9 days ago

Judge Mary Kay Costello

Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

Discovery Dispute Letter
5 pgs
Discovery Motion
10 pgs
Motion Brief
25 pgs
Sur Reply Brief
5 pgs
Motion In Limine Brief
5 pgs

Adjournments

Must Include

  • 1
    Reason For Request
  • 2
    Adversary Position
  • 3
    Proposed New Dates

Communication

Chambers

Scheduling
No Status Inquiries
Email

Chambers

chambers costello@paed.uscourts.gov
No Status Inquiries
Filters:AllMandatoryImportantCommunicationMemorandaTypographyLettersDiscoverySettlementTRO/InjunctionCourtroom Conduct

Detailed Drafting Rules

Communication ProtocolImportant

Correspondence limited to scheduling, routine matters, and settlement notifications; other communications must be filed as pleadings/motions.

Counsel and pro se litigants may correspond with the Court concerning scheduling, routine matters, or to advise the Court that a case has been settled. All other communications with the Court should be made by the filing of pleadings, motions, applications, briefs, or similar filings permitted by the Federal Rules of Civil or Criminal Procedure or the Local Rules of Civil or Criminal Procedure.

Contact Method

Approved Topics
SchedulingStatus Inquiries
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 1
|SecI. GENERAL MATTERS
Communication ProtocolMandatory

All communications must go through Courtroom Deputy Clerk; direct contact with law clerks is prohibited.

Communications regarding civil and criminal cases should be directed to Judge Costello's Courtroom Deputy Clerk, Michael Coyle, at 267.299.7720 or chambers costello@paed.uscourts.gov. Direct communication with law clerks is prohibited.

Email

Direct to: Chambers

Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 1
|SecI. GENERAL MATTERS
Communication ProtocolImportant

Counsel must discuss matters with opposing counsel before bringing them to the Court's attention.

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

Contact Method

Approved Topics
Status Inquiries
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 1
|SecI. GENERAL MATTERS
Page or Word LimitMandatory

Discovery disputes raised by letter limited to 5 pages, response within 5 days also limited to 5 pages.

The letter or motion and any supporting memorandum shall not exceed five pages of double-spaced 12-point font. The responding party may file a response within five days, also limited to five pages of double-spaced 12-point font.

Page or Word LimitMandatory

Complex discovery disputes must be filed as motions, limited to 10 pages, response within 5 days also limited to 10 pages.

more complicated or involved discovery disputes must be submitted by motion. The motion and any supporting memorandum, together, shall not exceed ten pages of double-spaced 12-point font. The responding party may file a response within five days, also limited to ten pages of double-spaced 12-point font.

Page or Word LimitMandatory

Motions briefs/memoranda limited to 25 pages (excluding TOC, TOA, attachments/exhibits), double-spaced 12-point font.

Absent an order stating otherwise, any brief or memorandum filed in support of or in opposition to a motion must be limited to twenty-five pages of double-spaced 12-point font, excluding the table of contents, table of authorities, and any attachments or exhibits.

Page or Word LimitMandatory

Sur-reply briefs limited to 5 pages and must address only new issues from the reply.

Sur-reply briefs must not exceed five pages and must be limited to issues newly raised in the opposing party’s reply.

Page or Word LimitMandatory

Motions in limine briefs limited to 5 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font; no reply briefs allowed.

Any brief or memorandum filed in support of or in opposition to a motion in limine must be limited to five pages of double-spaced 12-point font. Reply briefs are not permitted.

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|SecMotions in Limine