MOTION DOCKET

The Court hears motions each morning - from 8:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays through Thursdays and from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Fridays.  Typically, five (5) motions are set each morning.  On the Friday docket, five (5) motions are set each half-hour.  If the parties anticipate requiring more than 15 minutes, we strongly advise you to alert the clerks.  All motions are to be set with the Clerk's office (214-653-7366); however, if you are attempting to set a motion for a time that is different from the normal motion docket outlined above then check with Court Administrator Laura Nutting.

Emergency Motions:
Hearings also can be set before 8:45 a.m., over the noon hour, and after 5:00 p.m. in exigent circumstances.  Check with Court Administrator Laura Nutting regarding availability for an emergency hearing. The Court will accept telephone calls during depositions and other proceedings involving all counsel if an issue arises requiring immediate attention.

Telephone Hearings:
Telephone hearings are an option for out-of-town parties. Please contact the Deputy Clerk to schedule a telephone hearing.  The party requesting the telephone hearing must arrange for all applicable counsel to be included on the call.  

Certificates of Conference:
Motions require certificates of conference.  See Local Rule 2.07.  The Deputy Clerk will set a hearing on a motion without a certificate of conference, but the party requesting the hearing must explain why there is no certificate and may be required to compensate opposing counsel if the hearing is deemed unnecessary.

Summary Judgment Hearings:
The Court does not require a certificate of conference for summary judgment motions. Please note that if the motion will require more than twenty (20) minutes for argument, contact Laura Nutting regarding availability for an extended hearing

Cancellation of Hearings:
Please notify the Court by letter, copying all opposing counsel and /or pro se parties, if you need to cancel a hearing. This procedure has become necessary because opponents of motions have wrongfully cancelled properly-scheduled hearings and because a number of parties have not received the required notice of cancellations.

NOTE THAT THE DOCKET MAY CHANGE DUE TO CANCELLATIONS AND EMERGENCY MATTERS THAT ARE ADDED TO THE DOCKET.

Although we try to keep this website as up-to-date as possible, the information above can change quickly.  If you have any question about a motion or a hearing, please contact the Deputy Clerk at 214-653-7366.