Court Rules
magistrate Judge
Verified Current9 days ago

Judge Sarah L. Cave

Southern District of New York

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

Discovery Plan
1 pgs
Letter
1,050 wds
Case Management Plan
1 pgs
Letter Motion
1,050 wds
Pretrial Memorandum
8,750 wds
Settlement Conference Letter
4 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Filings (>50 pages)

Required

Filings

Not Required

Filings (All filings)

Required • Binding: Tabbed Three Ring

Adjournments

Notice Required
14Calendar Days

Must Include

  • 1
    Reason For Request

Must Include

  • 1
    Reason For Request
  • 2
    Original Date
  • 3
    Number Of Previous Requests
  • 4
    Previous Requests Granted Or Denied
  • 5
    Adversary Position
  • 6
    Proposed Rescheduled Date
  • 7
    Proposed New Dates
Notice Required
48Hours

Must Include

  • 1
    Proposed New Dates

Communication

Phone

Chambers

Technical Issues
Email

Chambers

Advance Notice Required
No Hours, Status Inquiries
Letter Ecf

Intake Unit

No Status Inquiries
Email

Intake Unit

helpdesk@nysd.uscourts.gov
Technical Issues
Advance Notice Required
No Hours, Status Inquiries
Email

Chambers

CaveCriminalDuty@nysd.uscourts.gov
Scheduling
Advance Notice Required
No Hours, Status Inquiries
Hand Delivery

Chambers

No Status Inquiries
Filters:AllMandatoryImportantCommunicationLettersECF FilingExhibitsEmail ChambersElectronicsConferencesMemoranda

Detailed Drafting Rules

Communication ProtocolImportant

Counsel must contact chambers if interpreter cannot be secured

Counsel should call Chambers if there is any difficulty securing an interpreter.

Phone

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Technical Issues
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|Sec7c
Page or Word LimitMandatory

Letters to chambers are limited to 1,050 words (excluding attachments).

Letters may not exceed 1,050 words in length, exclusive of attachments, which should be kept to a minimum.

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|SecI. Communications with Chambers
Communication ProtocolImportant

Urgent matters require filing a request on ECF before calling or emailing chambers.

If a matter requires urgent attention, the parties must first file a request for relief on the docket before alerting Chambers by telephone call or email.

Email

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
SchedulingEmergenciesStatus InquiriesTechnical Issues
Requirements
  • Advance Notice Required
    must first file request on ECF
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|SecI. Communications with Chambers
Communication ProtocolMandatory

Pro se parties must communicate with the Pro Se Intake Unit, not chambers.

By Standing Order, a pro se party must mail all communications with the Court to the Pro Se Intake Unit located at 40 Centre Street, Room 105, New York, NY 10007. A pro se party may not call or email Chambers or send any document or filing directly to Chambers.

Letter via ECF

Direct to: Intake Unit

Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
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|SecI. Communications with Chambers
Communication ProtocolNote

Questions about sealed documents should be directed to ECF Help Desk via email during business hours

Questions about the filing of and access to sealed documents may be directed to the court's ECF Help Desk. The Help Desk is available via email at helpdesk@nysd.uscourts.gov, Monday through Friday during business hours.

Email

Direct to: Intake Unit

Approved Topics
SchedulingEmergenciesStatus InquiriesTechnical Issues
Requirements
  • Advance Notice Required
Prohibited
  • Hours
    Monday through Friday during business hours
  • Status Inquiries
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|SecQuestions about the filing
Communication ProtocolNote

Contact ECF Help Desk at helpdesk@nysd.uscourts.gov for questions about sealed documents.

Questions about Sealed Document Procedures – Questions about the filing of and access to sealed documents may be directed to the court’s ECF Help Desk. The Help Desk is available via email at helpdesk@nysd.uscourts.gov, Monday through Friday during business hours.

Email

Direct to: Intake Unit

Approved Topics
SchedulingEmergenciesStatus InquiriesTechnical Issues
Requirements
  • Advance Notice Required
Prohibited
  • Hours
    Monday through Friday during business hours
  • Status Inquiries
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|SecQuestions about Sealed Document Procedures
Communication ProtocolImportant

Hand deliveries must be left with Court Security Officers, not brought to chambers.

Where permitted by these Rules, hand deliveries should be left with the Court Security Officers at the Worth Street entrance of 500 Pearl Street and may not be brought directly to Chambers.

Hand Delivery

Direct to: Chambers

Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
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|SecI. Communications with Chambers
Communication ProtocolMandatory

Electronic device requests must be emailed to Court at least 24 hours before proceeding

H. Electronic Device Order Requests. Attorneys’ use of electronic devices (including mobile telephones, personal electronic devices, computers, and printers) within the Courthouse and its environs is governed by the Court’s Standing Order M10-468.4. Attorneys seeking to bring a device into the Courthouse shall submit a completed copy of the Electronic Devices General Purpose Form, available on the Court's website, to the Court by email at least 24 hours prior to the court proceeding. Requests for a so-ordered electronic device order are not filed on ECF.

Email

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
SchedulingEmergenciesStatus InquiriesTechnical Issues
Requirements
  • Advance Notice Required
    24 hours
Prohibited
  • Hours
    at least 24 hours prior to the court proceeding
  • Status Inquiries
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|SecI. Pretrial Procedures
Pre-Motion ProcedureMandatory

Discovery disputes must be filed as Letter-Motion (max 1,050 words) after meet and confer

2. Letter‐Motion for Discovery Conference. If the parties have met and conferred but were unable to resolve their dispute, the moving party must request a discovery conference with the Court, by Letter‐Motion, as required by Local Civil Rule 37.2. Counsel should select the “Letter‐ Motion” option—not “Motion to Compel”—when filing on ECF. Letter- Motions may not exceed 1,050 words in length, exclusive of attachments, which should be kept to a minimum, and must clearly set forth the issues in dispute and the relief sought. As part of the Letter‐Motion, the moving party must certify that the required in‐person or telephonic conference took place between counsel for the relevant parties and, in

Pre-Motion Conference

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

Letter Requirements

Status
Required
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|SecII. Pretrial Procedures
Page or Word LimitMandatory

Letters in opposition and replies are limited to 1,050 words.

Letters in opposition and replies may not exceed 1,050 words in length exclusive of attachments, which should be kept to a minimum.

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|SecBriefing Schedule
Courtesy CopyMandatory

Courtesy copies required for Letter-Motions with exhibits over 50 pages.

Courtesy copies of Letter‐Motions are not required unless the attached exhibits exceed 50 pages, in which case one (1) courtesy copy, marked as such on a cover page, should be submitted to Chambers promptly after filing.

Courtesy Copies Required

When: Page Threshold > 50
Logistics
Quantity1 Copy
TimingPromptly After Filing
MethodHand Delivery
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|SecCourtesy Copies
Document RequirementMandatory

Memoranda over 3,500 words require table of contents and authorities.

Memoranda of 3,500 words 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
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|SecMemoranda of Law
Page or Word LimitImportant

Non-jury cases may file pretrial memoranda up to 8,750 words.

In non‐jury cases, where ordered by the Court, parties must file proposed findings of fact and statements of law. If the parties believe it would be useful, they may file pretrial memoranda limited to 8,750 words.

Page or Word LimitMandatory

Settlement conference letter must be 4 pages or less and include specific content

No later than four business days before the conference, each party must send to the Court and opposing counsel a letter of no longer than four (4) pages marked “Confidential Materials For Use Only At Settlement Conference,” setting forth concisely the following: (1) a discussion of the relevant facts and applicable law, with an emphasis on the issues more pertinent to settlement, including a discussion of liability and damages in the event liability were established; (2) if non‐monetary relief—including a general or specific release of claims—is sought in addition to or instead of money damages, each party must set forth its position as to the provision of such relief; (3) the existence and amount of any lien(s) that may attach to the settlement proceeds; and (4) the history of settlement discussions, including any prior offers or demands.

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