1.
No Sign in Procedure: Court starts at 9am. The
Court’s staff prepares the docket of cases.
We have no “sign in,” procedure for attorneys. We normally place a copy of the docket on
counsel table for review by attorneys.
The court will call the cases in the following general order required by the Uniform Rules for District
Courts:
A. Uncontested matters including confirmations, preliminary defaults, judgment debtor rules, etc.
B. Trials of motions or exceptions that do not require the testimony of witnesses (exceptions, summary judgments, etc).
C. Trials of motions or exceptions requiring the testimony of witnesses.
D. Trials on the merits.
2. Summary Judgments and Exceptions: Counsel should file concise memorandum supporting their positions with copies of select, decisive case law. These are more important than your memorandum. Forward a working copy directly to the court with a cover letter indicating the date of the hearing.
3. Case Negotiations: Counsel should conduct case negotiations in the Court’s foyer or hallway, not in the courtroom during sessions of court.
4. Domestic Cases: The Court will discuss domestic case issues at the bench upon request of the parties prior to any trial on the merits of the individual case. This is optional not mandatory. Parties are not bound by the Court’s guidance at these pre-trial discussions and may proceed, without prejudice, to trial on the merits of the case with a record made of the proceeding.