Civil Jury Trial Preferences
A. Motions in Limine
Any motions in limine must be submitted to the Court at least four weeks before the start
of trial. Any responsive papers shall be submitted at least three weeks before the start of trial.
B. Joint Submissions:
At least three weeks before trial, counsel for all parties must confer and submit joint
versions of the items listed below both on the docket and via USB containing Word versions of the
joint submissions:
1. Statement of the Case
2. Jury Charges
3. Voir Dire Questions
4. Verdict Sheet
If the parties disagree as to the contents of any of the joint submissions, such disagreements
must be memorialized in the submission via track changes or highlighting.
C. Exhibit Indices
At least three weeks before the start of trial, counsel for all parties must submit an exhibit
index. The list must identify the witness through which each exhibit will be introduced. Counsel
must also denote exhibits that will be marked for identification but not moved into evidence.
D. Exhibits
All trial exhibits should be submitted to the Court via USB drive. The parties should also
submit two hard copies of exhibits to the Court.
E. Deposition Designations
If a party anticipates introducing deposition testimony at trial, then such deposition
designations, and any evidentiary objections thereto, must be submitted to the Court no later than
two weeks before trial. A party’s failure to comply with this rule may result in the Court precluding
a party from using deposition testimony at trial. Thus, the Court strongly encourages the parties to
meet-and-confer on deposition designations and objections with sufficient time to comply with
this rule.
F. Settlement After Jury Selection
If an action is settled after the jury has been summoned or during trial, the parties are
reminded that the Court is likely to assess the costs of empaneling the jury on the parties and/or
their attorneys. See L. Civ. R. 47.2. A jury is considered summoned for trial as of noon on the
business day immediately preceding the designated date of the trial. Id. Taxation of costs in this
regard coexists with the Court’s inherent authority to assess costs against a party or attorney as a
sanction for misconduct. See Eash v. Riggins Trucking Inc., 757 F.2d 557, 567-68 (3d Cir. 1985)
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(en banc) (explaining that it is within the inherent authority of the court to impose a reasonable
sanction after notice and an opportunity to be heard).
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