Court Rules
Common questions about Judge Henry J. Ricardo's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Henry J. Ricardo?

Courtesy copies are required when a filing is > 6 pages. Details: 1 copy, delivery upon filing, by hand delivery or overnight mail. Letters exceeding 6 pages with attachments must be hand delivered or overnight mailed to Court.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Ex Parte Settlement Letter

Does Judge Henry J. Ricardo require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Henry J. Ricardo's rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. Pre-motion conferences required except for specific motion types.

What page or word limits apply to ex parte settlement letter before Judge Henry J. Ricardo?

Judge Henry J. Ricardo's rule states these limits: 6 pages. Ex parte settlement letter limited to 6 pages unless Court grants permission.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Ex Parte Settlement Letter

What page or word limits apply to letter motion before Judge Henry J. Ricardo?

Judge Henry J. Ricardo's rule states these limits: 4 pages. Discovery letter-motions limited to 4 pages; no replies allowed.

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Henry J. Ricardo?

Judge Henry J. Ricardo's formatting rule includes 12 point type, double spacing. Memoranda must be in 12-point font or larger and double-spaced.

What must be included with settlement demand filings before Judge Henry J. Ricardo?

The rule requires judge name and case number. Plaintiff must make settlement demand 21 days before conference if not already done.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Exchange of Settlement Demands/Offers

What must be included with settlement response filings before Judge Henry J. Ricardo?

The rule requires judge name and case number. Opposing party must respond to settlement demand within 7 days of receiving it.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Exchange of Settlement Demands/Offers

How may parties contact Judge Henry J. Ricardo's chambers?

Parties may contact Judge Henry J. Ricardo's chambers by email only as allowed by the rule. The rule lists email ProSe@nysd.uscourts.gov. Pro se parties must file with Pro Se Intake Unit, not Chambers

View ruleSource: page 1, section I. Communications with Chambers

How does Judge Henry J. Ricardo handle sealed or redacted filings?

A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings before Judge Henry J. Ricardo. All redactions or sealing of public court filings require Court approval.

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Henry J. Ricardo?

Requests should be made at least 3 dates in advance when this rule applies before Judge Henry J. Ricardo. The request must include reason for request and proposed new dates. To change settlement conference date, consult with all parties for 3 dates, email Chambers, then file ECF letter-motion.

View ruleSource: page 5, section Adjournments of Settlement Conferences

Does Judge Henry J. Ricardo require motion papers to be bundled?

Yes. Judge Henry J. Ricardo requires bundling for covered papers. Trials in civil consent cases scheduled for firm dates, rarely changed.

Does Judge Henry J. Ricardo encourage junior lawyer participation?

Yes. Judge Henry J. Ricardo's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. Junior lawyers invited to argue motions they helped prepare; multiple attorneys may argue different issues.

Complete rules summary for Judge Henry J. Ricardo

Plaintiff must make settlement demand 21 days before conference if not already done.

Opposing party must respond to settlement demand within 7 days of receiving it.

Ex parte settlement letter (max 6 pages) required 14 days before conference.

Ex parte settlement letter limited to 6 pages unless Court grants permission.

Letters exceeding 6 pages with attachments must be hand delivered or overnight mailed to Court.

Ex parte letter must include settlement history, evaluation, case law, and helpful facts.

Business defendants claiming inability to pay must provide supporting documentation.

Parties over 100 miles may be excused from in-person attendance with 14-day advance letter-motion, but must be available by phone.

Corporate parties must bring decision-maker with settlement authority; insurance carriers must send decision-makers, including excess carriers unless excused 14 days prior.

Government agency parties must bring knowledgeable representative or make them available by phone; NYC Comptroller must be available for settlement approval.

Parties failing to bring required attendees may face reimbursement of other parties' expenses and sanctions.

Remote settlement conferences require written application with all parties' consent at least 14 days prior.

Settlement conference date changes without cause require 14-day advance letter-motion; otherwise reasons must be provided.

Adjournment requests on the eve of settlement conference are strongly disfavored and telephone requests are never accepted.

To change settlement conference date, consult with all parties for 3 dates, email Chambers, then file ECF letter-motion.

If case settles before conference, file ECF letter-motion to adjourn sine die.

Settlement conference scheduling does not affect other case deadlines.

Settlement conference acknowledgment form must be emailed as PDF to Judge and all attorneys 14 days before conference.

Settlement conference requires attendance by person with ultimate settlement authority or insurance carrier representative with complete settlement responsibility.

Attorney must certify having read the court order and settlement procedures.

Pro se litigants must verify AI-generated filings and provide certification or risk having their filing struck.

Pro se parties must file with Pro Se Intake Unit, not Chambers

Pro se parties must serve other parties and include proof of service

Pro se parties must file all papers with Pro Se Intake Unit

Nonincarcerated pro se parties need motion for ECF permission

Nonincarcerated pro se parties may consent to electronic service

Counsel must serve pro se parties with paper copies and proof of service

Parties must submit Case Report and Proposed Case Management Plan one week before conference

Motion procedures governed by Judge Ricardo's Civil Cases rules

Parties and counsel may inform the court of preferred pronouns.

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