Commercial Division Rules Changes And Application Of Rules To Trial Parts

1.    Conferences and Appearances

·      Video-conferencing during Pandemic – what is likely here to stay?

·      CD Rule 1; Section 202.1 – sub. f – appearance by knowledgeable counsel prepared to resolve issues; also, can waive rules for good case except 202.2 (court terms and parts) and 202.3 (IAS)

·      CD Rule 8; Section 202.11 – Consultation among counsel before conference about: resolving case; discovery; ADR; and voluntary exchange of information

·      CD Rule 15; Section 202.10 – don’t adjourn conferences absent good cause

·      CD Rule 30; Section 202.26 – pre-trial conference and settlement conference

·      CD Rule 34; Section 202.23 – staggered court appearances – already happening?

2.    Discovery Rules

·      CD Rule 11

i.    Section 202.20-a – meet and confer on privilege; preference for categorical logs

ii.    Section 202.11 – see above – consult before conference

iii.    Section 202.20 – limit to 25 interrogatories

iv.    Section 202.20-b – 10 depositions limited to seven hours

v.    Section 202.20-c – need for specific responses to objections and statement if no documents

vi.    Section 202.20-d – deposition of entities, like Fed. R. 30(b)(6), as to information known to the entity

vii.    Section 202.20-e – adherence to schedule

viii.    Section 202.20-f – meet and confer before discovery motion

ix.    Section 202.20-g – need to record discovery rulings at conferences

3.    Motions and Papers

·      CD Rule 4; Section 202.5-a – filing by fax and digitally

·      CD Rule 16; Section 202.8-a – form of papers; maximum of three adjournments

·      CD Rule 6; Section 202.5 – 12 point font/10 point for footnotes; bookmarking

·      CD Rule 17; Section 202.8-b – limit on word court of briefs and affidavits to 7,000 words and 4,200for reply, with certificate of compliance

·      CD Rule 18; Section 202.8-c – no sur-replies

·      CD Rule 19; Section 202.8-d – orders to show cause only if urgent and no replies

·      CD Rule 19-a; Section 202.8-g – Rule 19-a material fact statements on summary judgment

·      CD Rule 20; Section 202.8-e – on TROs, need to provide papers sufficiently in advance to all ow adversary to contest

·      CD Rule 22; Section 202.8-f – oral argument procedure

4.    Settlements and Discontinuances

·      CD Rule 2; Section 202.28 – informing court of settlements

·      CD Rule 30; Section 202.26 – pre-trial conference and settlement conference

·      CD Rule 3; Section 202.29 – settlement conference before another judge

5.    Trials and Witnesses

·      CD Rule 28; Section 202.34 – pre-marking exhibits

·      CD Rule 31; Section 202.20-h – pre-trial memos, exhibit books and jury charge requests

·      CD Rule 32; Section 202.37 – scheduling of witnesses

·      CD Rules 32-a; Section 202.20-i – direct testimony by affidavit in bench trial

6.    Recent Rules Amendments

-       Rule 6 – hyperlinking

-       Rule 3(a) – Neutral Evaluation

-       Remote Depositions

-       Virtual Evidentiary Hearings and Non-Jury Trials on Consent

7.    Open discussion – Q&A