Court Rules
Common questions about Judge Jed S. Rakoff's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Jed S. Rakoff?

Courtesy copies are required for proposed voir dires and requests to charges. Details: 1 copy, delivery upon filing, by email. Courtesy digital copies of proposed voir dire and requests to charge must be emailed to Chambers in Word format.

Does Judge Jed S. Rakoff require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Yes. A pre-motion letter is required for covered motions. Pre-motion conference generally required

View ruleSource: page 3, section A. Pre-Motion Conference

What page or word limits apply to motion in limine before Judge Jed S. Rakoff?

Judge Jed S. Rakoff's rule states these limits: 5 pages. Excludes reply briefs. Motions in limine are limited to 5 pages with no reply briefs permitted.

What page or word limits apply to pretrial memorandum before Judge Jed S. Rakoff?

Judge Jed S. Rakoff's rule states these limits: 25 pages. Pretrial memoranda and responses are limited to 25 pages each.

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Jed S. Rakoff?

Judge Jed S. Rakoff's formatting rule includes file format excel, native format, and hyperlinks to exhibits. Cases with >15 exhibits require Excel index with hyperlinks.

What must be included with exhibits filings before Judge Jed S. Rakoff?

The rule requires index, digital copy, and exhibit list. Parties must submit digital exhibits and index one week before final pretrial conference.

What must be included with deposition designations filings before Judge Jed S. Rakoff?

The rule requires designations and counter designations. Deposition designations must be submitted two trial days before offering testimony.

How may parties contact Judge Jed S. Rakoff's chambers?

Parties may contact Judge Jed S. Rakoff's chambers by chambers only as allowed by the rule. Counsel must be present by 9:30 AM and available after 4:45 PM in jury trials.

View ruleSource: page 7, section A. Transparency, Efficiency and Time Management

How does Judge Jed S. Rakoff handle sealed or redacted filings?

Judge Jed S. Rakoff's rules set procedures for sealed or redacted filings. Process: file redacted on ecf and file unredacted to chambers. Sealing/redaction requiring court approval

View ruleSource: page 2, section D. Redactions and Filing Under Seal

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Jed S. Rakoff?

Requests should be made at least 1 week in advance when this rule applies before Judge Jed S. Rakoff. Responses to in limine motions must be filed within one week of the motion.

Does Judge Jed S. Rakoff encourage junior lawyer participation?

Yes. Judge Jed S. Rakoff's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. Junior lawyers (5 years or less experience) arguing increases likelihood of oral argument.

View ruleSource: page 14, section 6. Oral Argument
Complete rules summary for Judge Jed S. Rakoff

Responses to in limine motions must be filed within one week of the motion.

Courtesy digital copies of proposed voir dire and requests to charge must be emailed to Chambers in Word format.

Motions in limine are limited to 5 pages with no reply briefs permitted.

Pretrial memoranda and responses are limited to 25 pages each.

Responses to pretrial memoranda must be filed within one week of the memorandum.

Parties must submit digital exhibits and index one week before final pretrial conference.

Email specific address to request upload link for trial materials.

Cases with >15 exhibits require Excel index with hyperlinks.

Deposition designations must be submitted two trial days before offering testimony.

Deposition designations must use different colors for each party.

Opposing party must note objections in margin with basis.

Deposition testimony must be submitted as flattened PDF, may use condensed format.

Bench trials require one-page synopsis per deposition with page citations.

Trial schedule: 5 hours daily from 10:00 AM with breaks, adjourning at 4:45 PM or later if needed.

Counsel must be present by 9:30 AM and available after 4:45 PM in jury trials.

Court will impose and enforce time limits in civil trials.

Time limits established at final pretrial conference based on case complexity.

Courtroom Deputy tracks time, reported periodically; time accrues when counsel addresses jury or presents deposition testimony.

Sidebars not permitted during jury trials; generally not permitted during bench trials.

Counsel must anticipate and raise evidentiary/legal issues before testimony, outside jury presence.

Parties must first discuss issues with opposing counsel before raising with Court.

Parties must present witnesses throughout trial day; failure to do so may result in being deemed to have rested.

Counsel must notify Court and opposing counsel in writing of witness scheduling problems.

Exhibits must be pre-marked; court time not used for marking exhibits.

Court admits exhibits with no objections or resolved objections before opening statements on first trial day.

Parties must email witness and exhibit lists (Excel format) to Court 3 business days before trial (or first day in criminal cases).

Exhibit list must identify exhibits to be admitted at trial opening; exclude excluded/withdrawn exhibits.

Parties must email updated exhibit and witness lists to Court by 8:30 AM each trial day.

Counsel must advise Court of next day's exhibits and unresolved objections at end of each trial day.

Government must provide Court with 2 hard copies or 1 digital copy of 3500 material at start of criminal trial.

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