(a) Applicability. Motions seeking to extend a deadline pursuant to Fed. R.
Civ. P. 6(b) are governed by this rule rather than LR 7.1(b). This rule does not apply to
motions to modify a scheduling order, which are governed by LR 16.3.
(b) Requirements. Unless the court directs otherwise, the following provisions
apply to motions governed by this rule:
(1) Good Cause. Good cause for the extension (or excusable neglect if
filed after the deadline under Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(b)(1)(B)) should be set forth
in the motion itself, whether or not the motion is opposed. Ordinarily, no
separate memorandum or other document will be required.
(2) Meet-and-Confer Requirement. The meet-and-confer requirement of
LR 7.1(a) applies to motions to extend time, except that the moving party’s
statement must appear in the motion itself rather than in a separate
document. The statement must include whether or not another party has
indicated a desire to respond to the motion.
(3) Agreed Motions. Parties are strongly encouraged to seek agreement
on a motion to extend time. Even if the parties agree, the party seeking the
extension should file an agreed or unopposed motion rather than a
stipulation.
(4) Response. A party wishing to respond to a motion to extend time should
do so promptly, and in no event later than three days after the motion is
filed. The court may rule on a motion to extend time before a response is
filed.
(5) No Hearing. Ordinarily, no hearing will be held on a motion to extend
time.
[Adopted effective February 1, 1991; amended July 23, 2012; abrogated and replaced,
June 10, 2026]
2026 Advisory Committee’s Note to LR 6.1
Former LR 6.1 is abrogated because it included an “extreme good cause” standard for
continuances premised on the absence of an expert witness, and this standard is not defined and does not
otherwise appear in the Local Rules or the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Additionally, former LR 6.1’s
requirement that continuance motions be in writing was redundant of LR 16.3(a)’s requirement that
scheduling orders be modified by motion in accordance with LR 7.1(b).
New LR 6.1 brings uniformity to the district’s practices with respect to motions to extend time,
establishing a streamlined approach and clarifying that LR 7.1 does not govern such motions. This rule
establishes an exception under Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(c)(1)(C) to the ordinary timing rules for motions.
2012 Advisory Committee’s Note to LR 6.1
The language of LR 6.1 has been amended in accordance with the restyling process described in
the 2012 Advisory Committee’s Preface on Stylistic Amendments.
