judge console · S.D.N.Y.
S.D.N.Y. · Judge Cave · Practice Guide

Hon. Sarah L. Cave

All local rules for S.D.N.Y., integrated with this judge's published requirements.

Before You File
Ex parte applications
🏛 S.D.N.Y. local rule

Affidavit with good and specific reasons required; state if prior application made. Local Civil Rule 6.1(d) ↗

Drafting the Motion
Length limits — motion, opposition, reply
🏛 S.D.N.Y. local rule
Motion

Memoranda of law in support of or in opposition to a motion limited to 25 pages; reply memoranda limited to 10 pages S.D.N.Y. L.R. 7.1(b) ↗

Opposition

8,750 words maximum for opposition brief. Local Civil Rule 7.1(c) ↗

Reply

3,500 words maximum for reply brief. Local Civil Rule 7.1(c) ↗

Filing & Scheduling
Briefing schedule & hearing date
🏛 S.D.N.Y. local rule
Notice period

Opposition due 14 days after service; reply due 7 days after opposition. Local Civil Rule 6.1(b) ↗

Hearing days

Silent on fixed motion hearing days. The joint local rules establish no motion-day calendar. LCR 7.1 governs motion practice (content, formatting, and briefing deadlines) but sets no court hearing dates; any hearing is scheduled at each judge's discretion per their individual practices. Local Civil Rule 7.1 ↗

Proposed orders
🏛 S.D.N.Y. local rule

Proposed orders, judgments, and decrees must be presented as directed by the ECF rules published on the website of each respective court. Local Civil Rule 77.1 ↗

Filing under seal
👤 Judge Cave — standing order

the date on which the relevant filing is due. 1. Sealing/Redactions Not Requiring Court Approval. Fed. R. Civ. P. 5.2 describes sensitive information that must be redacted from public court filings without seeking prior Court permission. Parties should also consult the S.D.N.Y. ECF Rules & Instructions, Section 21, Rules 21.3 and 21.4, available at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/rules/ecf-related- instructions.

The Hearing
Oral argument
🏛 S.D.N.Y. local rule

Motions are decided on submission unless the court schedules oral argument; contact chambers to request oral argument S.D.N.Y. L.R. 7.1(b) ↗

Discovery
Discovery referral procedure
🏛 S.D.N.Y. local rule

Must first request informal conference by letter before filing discovery motion. Local Civil Rule 37.2 ↗

Discovery dispute procedure
👤 Judge Cave — standing order

ding the modifications from the Court’s model. C. Discovery Disputes. 1. Requirement to Meet and Confer. The Court will not hear any discovery dispute unless the moving party (including a non‐party seeking relief) has first conferred in good faith with any adverse party to resolve the dispute. An exchange of letters or emails alone does not satisfy this requirement. Counsel must respond promptly and in good faith to any request from another party to confer in accordance with this paragraph.

Know Before You Go
👤 Judge Cave — deviations that burn people
  • All letters must be filed on ECF. Do not send letters directly to chambers by email unless specifically authorized.
  • All adjournment and extension requests must be filed on ECF as letter-motions, not as ordinary letters or proposed stipulations.
  • Motions are generally decided on papers without oral argument. Requesting argument is appropriate only when genuinely necessary.
content assembled from published local rules & standing orders · click any section in the rail for the full treatment