RULE PROCEDURE

No witnesses will be permitted without prior approval from the Court.

Memoranda supporting or opposing motions or exceptions are due eight days before the hearing as required by Rule 9.9 of the Local Rules. Failure to comply with this rule may result in forfeiture of oral argument. Please submit a courtesy copy to chambers along with filing it in the record.

Continuances of rules - In order for a rule to be continued, the party requesting the rule must submit written confirmation via fax or email to the law clerk that the adverse parties have been contacted and have no objection to the continuance. The party requesting the continuance should also file a motion to reset along with service sheets and instructions. If there is an objection, a contradictory hearing will take place on the set rule date.

STATUS/SCHEDULING CONFERENCES

In order to set a scheduling conference a motion must be filed. Once the motion is received, the minute clerk will send the mover a link for available dates to circulate to all counsel to choose an agreeable date. Click here for information regarding selecting an available conference date.

SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES WITH THE JUDGE

In order to schedule a settlement conference, a motion to set settlement conference must be filed indicating all parties agree to a settlement conference. Once the motion to set settlement conference is received, the minute clerk will send the mover available dates to circulate to all counsel to choose an agreeable date. A notice of the settlement conference will be emailed to the parties. Position papers are due 72 hours prior to the conference.

TRIALS

A form 85 (Motion to Set for Trial on the Merits (http://www.orleanscdc.com/forms/cdc/form85.PDF) may be filed by either party only after the case is ready for trial in accordance with Rule 10, Section I. ALL discovery must be complete. Once the motion is received, the minute clerk will send the mover available dates to circulate to all counsel to choose an agreeable date for a scheduling conference to select a trial date.

Pre-Trial Conference - The purpose of the pre-trial conference with the Judge is to define the issues, present possible stipulations, objections and the scheduling of testimony of witnesses.

Joint Pre-Trial Outline - Please submit a courtesy copy to chambers via hand delivery or U.S. Mail (DO NOT FAX/EMAIL) along with filing it in the record ten days prior to the pre-trial conference. Joint Pre-Trial Outline format

Exhibit Books - The parties shall have a conference date with each other prior to trial to exchange exhibits and determine what exhibits are agreed upon as being authenticated and admissible. All exhibits that are agreed upon as being both authenticated and admissible should be labeled as "Joint Exhibit No. 1, 2, 3..." and put in binders. All other exhibits shall be labeled as either "Plaintiff Exhibit No. 1, 2, 3..." or "Defendant Exhibit No. 1, 2, 3..." and put in binders. An exhibit list should be included of all exhibits. Those exhibits that are objected to should indicate whether it is for admissibility or authenticity or both. Each party should have an exhibit book for themselves, the opposing party, the judge, and the witness. Counsel shall deliver the hard copy bench book of tabbed exhibits to the Court FIVE WORKING DAYS before the start of trial.

Jury trials - The parties shall submit proposed jury instructions and jury interrogatories to the court ten days prior to trial. Please provide a courtesy hard copy along with an electronic copy in Microsoft Word on a flash drive, CD, or email to the law clerk.

Video display systems - ELMO interactive documentation display systems and other video display systems are available for use in our courtroom. These services/tools are available for reservation for a small fee and should be reserved at least 48 business hours in advance of the event; all equipment and services are first come, first served. Please complete the video request form on the court's website to make your reservation.

Continuance of trials - A written motion to continue trial must be filed with the court. The motion must contain a brief reason for the continuance, whether this is the first request for a continuance, and whether the opposing party objects to the continuance. It is within the judge's sole discretion to grant or deny the continuance. If the continuance is contested, the judge will hear the motion to continue on the morning of trial.

JUDGMENTS

Judgments must be submitted within ten days of the hearing/trial. Please include the names of all attorneys or parties who need to be notified, including their bar numbers, addresses, and emails, on all judgments. The party preparing the judgment must circulate the judgment and attach a 9.5 certificate.

*If the parties are in disagreement with the judgment, they should request a transcript from the court reporter and attach a copy to their proposed judgment.

After the judgment is signed, the original is filed in the record and a certified copy of the judgment and notice of signing of judgment will be mailed to all parties as per Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Article 1913. Additional copies of judgments may be obtained from the Clerk's Office.

COURT COSTS AND JUDICIAL INTEREST

All matters relating to court costs or judicial interest rates are to be directed to the Clerk's Office at (504) 407-0000.

All matters relating to service costs are to be directed to the Sheriff's Office at (504) 523-6143.

Motion to Set for Trial on the Merits

Jury Cash Deposit Order Pursuant TO LA.C.C.P. art. 1734.1(E)

Jury Cash Deposit Order Pursuant TO LA.C.C.P. art. 1734.1

Jury Cash Deposit Order Pursuant TO LA.C.C.P. art. 1761 A for 6 person jury

Division D Standard Jury Charges