Local Rule 83.VI.04: Closing Argument of Counsel

83.VI.04: Closing Argument of Counsel. In the trial of a civil action, the plaintiff shall open and conclude the testimony and argument unless the plaintiff's entire case shall be admitted by the defendant's pleadings, and the controversy shall be wholly upon matter of counterclaim or affirmative defense interposed by the defendant. A full opening of the case, both in testimony and argument, shall be made by the party having the opening. Unless otherwise ordered by the court, the reply shall be restricted to a reply to new matter both as to testimony and argument. Closing arguments in criminal cases are governed by Fed. R. Crim. P. 29.11. The time allowed for argument in both criminal and civil cases shall be limited by the court as the cause may seem to require.