extensions or adjournments, applications for a premotion conference, and similar
nondispositive matters. Pursuant to recommended Local Civil Rule 5.2(b), such letter-
motions may be filed by ECF.
The use of letter-motions is intended to follow existing practice in which counsel
request certain nondispositive relief by letter. Using a letter-motion instead of a letter
will ensure that the Court is aware that relief is requested (as distinguished from, for
example, a status update letter where no relief is requested). Local Civil Rule 7.1(d) is
Joint Local Rules, S.D.N.Y. and E.D.N.Y.
Effective January 2, 2026
not intended to expand the types of motions that can be made by letter-motion. For
example, motions to dismiss or motions for summary judgment may not be made by
letter-motion.
Parties should remember to review the Individual Judge’s Practices for any pertinent
restrictions on the filing of letter-motions, such as requirements for courtesy copies and
any page limitations.
2016 COMMITTEE NOTE
Local Rule 7.l(c) is amended to conform to the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure.
2024 COMMITTEE NOTE
The subsection on letter-motions, subsection (d), was revised to specify the types of
motions that may be brought by letter-motion and to make explicit that other motions
may not be brought by letter-motion unless authorized by the presiding judge’s
individual practices or by an order in a particular case. Counsel should consult the
presiding judge’s individual practices, available on the court web sites, to confirm
whether any specific type of motion may be brought via letter-motion.
2025 COMMITTEE NOTE
The amendment includes a new subsection (c) to establish default lengths for
memoranda of law (subject to a court order or a Judge’s individual practices) for all
motions (other than motions for reconsideration, which are governed by Local Civil
Rule 6.3) and, if a memorandum of law is filed by counsel or prepared with a computer,
to require a certificate of compliance. The rule provides page limits if a party is not
represented by an attorney and the brief is handwritten or prepared with a typewriter
because a word limit for such submissions would be impracticable. The purpose of the
new section is to ensure consistency across briefs in terms of the length of submissions,
but the new section provides that these limits do not apply to letter briefs and may be
altered by court order. In addition, relevant portions of Local Civil Rule 11.1 which
separately addressed the form papers have been consolidated into Local Civil Rule 7.1,
and outdated provisions deleted.
Joint Local Rules, S.D.N.Y. and E.D.N.Y.
Effective January 2, 2026
