United States District Court for the Southern District of New York

Filing

Attorneys must open new civil actions through ECF and submit the opening documents in PDF-A format, subject to the order's paper-filing exceptions.

“attorneys seeking to commence a new civil action must do so electronically through the ECF system. All documents required to open the action shall be filed electronically in PDF-A format.”

Filing

Attorneys opening miscellaneous civil actions must use ECF and file opening documents in PDF-A format, except for matters the order requires on paper.

“attorneys seeking to commence a miscellaneous civil action must do so electronically through the ECF system. All documents required to open the action shall be filed electronically in PDF-A format.”

Filing

A proposed order to show cause with a temporary restraining order, or another proposed order for emergency relief, must be filed through ECF.

“a proposed Order to Show Cause that includes a Temporary Restraining Order, or other proposed order for emergency relief, must be filed electronically through the court’s Electronic Case Filing (ECF) system”

Filing

In a criminal case, counsel filing a Section 2255 motion need not deliver a paper copy or email a PDF copy.

“attorneys filing a Motion to Vacate, Set Aside or Correct Sentence in a criminal action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §2255 do not have to deliver a paper copy of the motion to the court, nor does a PDF version of the Motion have to be sent to the court by email.”

Filing

For an emergency application in an immigration custody habeas case, alert the clerk in a new case during business hours, the Part 1 judge after hours, or the presiding judge in a pending case.

“When filing an emergency application, you must take the additional step of alerting the court to the pending application. In New Cases - Alert the Clerk’s Office (telephone 212-805-0632 during business hours). If filing after business hours, alert the Part 1 Judge to the pending application (see their Individual Practices for contact instructions). In Pending Cases - Alert the presiding judge (see their Individual Practices for contact instructions).”

Sealing

Seek court leave before filing a highly sensitive document.

“Any party seeking to file an HSD must, before such filing, seek leave of court for such filing in the manner provided in paragraph 2(b).”

Sealing

Submit the request and proposed highly sensitive document to the clerk in a sealed envelope labeled 'HIGHLY SENSITIVE DOCUMENT' with a redacted caption page on its exterior.

“The request and the proposed HSD material shall be submitted to the clerk’s office in a sealed envelope marked ‘HIGHLY SENSITIVE DOCUMENT.’ The outside of the envelope shall be affixed with a copy of the HSD’s caption page (with confidential information redacted).”

Sealing

File a motion to open a new civil action entirely under seal electronically in a new miscellaneous case.

“a motion to file a new civil action under seal (the ‘application’) must be electronically filed in a new miscellaneous case”

Sealing

A sealed civil case application must include the motion, supporting papers with the proposed sealed complaint, and a proposed order.

“The application shall include a Motion to File a Civil Case Under Seal, supporting papers (with a copy of the proposed sealed complaint attached), and a proposed order.”

Sealing

After the court grants leave to file a new civil case under seal, file that civil case on paper with a copy of the sealing order.

“If the motion is granted, the filing party shall then file the civil case under seal in the traditional manner, in paper form. A copy of the court’s sealing order must be included.”