Local Rule L.R. 7016: Pre-trial Procedures.

L.R. 7016 - Pre-trial Procedures. A. Duty to Exchange Witness and Exhibit Lists, and Exhibits. Parties to an adversary proceeding should cooperate with one another and must voluntarily exchange witness and exhibit lists, and exhibits no later than fourteen (14) days prior to trial, or as set out in a pre-trial or trial order. The plaintiff must mark exhibits with Arabic numerals. The defendant must use letters. Exhibits must be indexed following the format of the Court's Exhibit Index (Local Form 20). No later than seventy-two (72) hours prior to trial, each party must deliver to the Court sufficient copies of the exhibits in binders to provide a set for the Court and the law clerk. Parties must bring additional binders for the witness and opposing counsel on the day of trial.

B. Objections to Exhibits. Objections to the authenticity or genuineness of any document must be made in writing no later than seventy-two (72) hours prior to trial. Failure to object to the authenticity or genuineness of a document does not waive any right to object on the basis of relevance at trial.

C. Duty to Confer and Settlement Conference. Unless a pre-trial order directs otherwise, the parties to an adversary proceeding must discuss the possibilities of settlement no later than fourteen (14) days after an answer or other response is filed. The plaintiff must promptly file and serve a report advising that the parties conducted such a settlement conference and whether the case is settled. (Local Form 21).