Court Rules
visiting Judge
Verified Current9 days ago

Judge Richard M. Berman

Southern District of New York

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

Memorandum Of Law
25 pgs
Exhibit
15 pgs
Affidavit
10 pgs
Pretrial Memorandum
10 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Filings

Required

Filings (All filings)

Required

Filings (Pleading, Correspondence, Letter Motion)

Required

Filings (Pretrial Submission)

Required

Filings (Affidavit, Documentary Evidence)

Required

Adjournments

Notice Required
48Hours

Must Include

  • 1
    Original Date
  • 2
    Number Of Previous Requests
  • 3
    Previous Requests Granted Or Denied
  • 4
    Adversary Position
  • 5
    Affects Other Dates
  • 6
    Proposed Rescheduled Date
  • 7
    Reason For Request
Notice Required
7Calendar Days
Notice Required
2Weeks
Notice Required
4Weeks
Notice Required
0Immediate
Notice Required
2Business Days

Communication

Email

Chambers

CA02_RJSChambers@ca2.uscourts.gov
No Status Inquiries
Phone

Chambers

(212) 857-2450
Emergencies
No Status Inquiries
Filters:AllMandatoryImportantFormattingCommunicationMemorandaLettersTypographyConferencesTOC/TOAExhibits

Detailed Drafting Rules

Pre-Motion ProcedureMandatory

Pre-motion letter must not exceed 3 pages (double-spaced) and must state bases for anticipated motion.

To arrange a pre-motion conference, the moving party shall submit a letter not to exceed three pages (double-spaced) in length setting forth the bases for the anticipated motion.

Pre-Motion Conference

A pre-motion conference is mandatory before filing. You must submit a letter first.

Letter Requirements

Status
Required
Max Length3 pgs
Page 1
|Sec2. Motions
Page or Word LimitMandatory

Memoranda of law (support/opposition) limited to 25 pages, reply memoranda to 10 pages, all double-spaced.

Memoranda of law in support of and in opposition to motions may be up to 25 pages (double-spaced), and reply memoranda may be up to 10 pages (double-spaced).

Page 2
|Sec2. Motions
Document RequirementMandatory

Memoranda of 10+ pages must include table of contents and table of authorities.

All memoranda of 10 pages or more shall contain a table of contents and a table of authorities.

Document Type

Memorandum Of Law

Content & Formatting
Table Of Contents
Table Of Authorities
Page 2
|Sec2. Motions
Format RequirementMandatory

Memoranda must use double spacing, one-inch margins, 12-point font for text and footnotes (footnotes may be single-spaced).

Use double spacing, one-inch margins, and 12-point font for text and footnotes (footnotes may be single-spaced).

Typography
Font FamilyOther
Size12 pt
Line SpacingDouble
Layout & Binding
Margins
Top:1"
Left:1"
Right:1"
Bottom:1"
Page 2
|Sec2. Motions
Document RequirementMandatory

Witness affidavits up to 10 double-spaced pages serve as direct testimony in non-jury cases.

In non-jury cases—an affidavit for each witness (of up to 10 pages double-spaced) shall suffice (and serve) as that witness’s direct testimony.

Document Type

Witness Affidavit

Content & Formatting
Direct Testimony
Page 5
|SecB. Filings Prior to Trial in Civil Cases
Page or Word LimitMandatory

Exhibits limited to 15 pages (except complaint).

Each exhibit – other than the complaint – is limited to fifteen pages.

Communication ProtocolMandatory

Letters from represented parties must be docketed on ECF and emailed as PDF to chambers.

Letters on behalf of parties represented by counsel must be both docketed on ECF and e-mailed as a PDF attachment to the following address: CA02_RJSChambers@ca2.uscourts.gov.

Email

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
SchedulingStatus InquiriesTechnical Issues
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 1
|SecCommunications with Chambers
Communication ProtocolImportant

Phone calls to chambers only for immediate attention situations.

Telephone calls to chambers are permitted only in situations requiring immediate attention. In such situations only, call (212) 857-2450.

Phone

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
SchedulingEmergenciesStatus InquiriesTechnical Issues
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 1
|SecCommunications with Chambers
Pre-Motion ProcedureMandatory

Pre-motion letter limited to 3 pages.

To arrange a pre-motion conference, the moving party shall submit a letter in accordance with Rule 1.A, not to exceed three pages in length, setting forth the basis for the anticipated motion.

Pre-Motion Conference

A pre-motion conference is mandatory before filing. You must submit a letter first.

Letter Requirements

Status
Required
Max Length3 pgs
Page 2
|SecPre-Motion Conferences in Civil Cases
Pre-Motion ProcedureMandatory

Response to pre-motion letter due within 3 business days, max 3 pages.

All parties served with the letter must submit a letter response, not to exceed three pages, within three business days from submission of the notification letter.

Pre-Motion Conference

Check specific requirements before filing.

Letter Requirements

Status
Optional
Max Length3 pgs
Opposition Due3 days
Page 2
|SecPre-Motion Conferences in Civil Cases
Page or Word LimitMandatory

Memoranda of law limited to 25 pages, reply memoranda to 10 pages.

Unless prior permission has been granted, memoranda of law in support of and in opposition to motions are limited to 25 pages, and reply memoranda are limited to 10 pages.

Document RequirementMandatory

Memoranda of 10+ pages require table of contents.

Memoranda of 10 pages or more shall contain a table of contents.

Document Type

Memorandum Of Law

Content & Formatting
Table Of Contents
Format RequirementMandatory

Memoranda of law require 12pt font, double-spacing, 1-inch margins.

All memoranda of law shall (1) be produced in a font size of twelve point or higher, (2) be double-spaced, and (3) have one-inch margins on all sides.

Typography
Size12 pt
Line SpacingDouble
Layout & Binding
Margins
Top:1"
Left:1"
Right:1"
Bottom:1"
Format RequirementMandatory

Footnotes require 12pt font, single-spacing with 12pt space between.

Footnotes shall (1) be produced in a font size of twelve point or higher, and (2) be single-spaced with a twelve point space between footnotes appearing on the same page.

Typography
Size12 pt
Line SpacingSingle
Pre-Motion ProcedureMandatory

Joint discovery dispute letter (max 5 pages) required before discovery motion.

Unless otherwise directed, and before making any discovery motion, counsel should describe their discovery disputes in a single letter, jointly composed, not to exceed five pages.

Pre-Motion Conference

A pre-motion conference is mandatory before filing. You must submit a letter first.

Letter Requirements

Status
Required
Max Length5 pgs
Page or Word LimitMandatory

Affidavits limited to 10 double-spaced pages.

Affidavits may not exceed ten double-spaced pages.

Page or Word LimitMandatory

Pretrial memorandum limited to 10 pages.

a pretrial memorandum, not to exceed 10 pages.

Page 5
|SecC. Filings Prior to Trial