Southern District of New York Exhibit Requirements
The Southern District of New York (SDNY) is one of the busiest and most prestigious federal courts, headquartered at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse in Manhattan. Known for handling major securities, commercial, and white-collar criminal cases, SDNY has specific exhibit practices that vary significantly by judge. The district requires strict compliance with Local Civil Rules and individual judge practices.
- The Southern District of New York's primary exhibit rule is Local Civil Rule 26.3.
- Plaintiffs in the Southern District of New York mark exhibits PX-1, PX-2, PX-3....
- Defendants in the Southern District of New York mark exhibits DX-A, DX-B, DX-C....
- The Southern District of New York accepts e-filings through CM/ECF (PACER), with a limit of 35 MB per document.
- Exhibits in the Southern District of New York are exchanged per pretrial order (typically 30 days).
- The Southern District of New York (SDNY) sits within the Second Circuit.
- ExhibitPrep applies SDNY exhibit stamps entirely in the browser, so case files never leave the attorney's computer.
Quick Reference
| E-Filing System | CM/ECF (PACER) |
| File Size Limit | 35 MB per document |
| Plaintiff Marking | PX-1, PX-2, PX-3... |
| Defendant Marking | DX-A, DX-B, DX-C... |
| Exchange Deadline | Per pretrial order (typically 30 days) |
| Primary Rule | Local Civil Rule 26.3 |
What This Guide Covers
Divisions & Courthouses
Manhattan (Foley Square)
- •Main courthouse - most commercial cases
- •Daniel Patrick Moynihan Courthouse
- •Securities and financial litigation hub
- •Judges have strong individual preferences
White Plains
- •Handles Westchester/Rockland cases
- •Same local rules as Manhattan
- •Smaller caseload
Judge-Specific Practices
SDNY judges maintain individual rules and practices that can significantly differ from general local rules. Before any filing, always check the assigned judge's Individual Practices document on the court website. Some judges require specific exhibit formats, courtesy copies, or modified timelines. The Clerk's Office can provide guidance on specific judge requirements.
Pro Tips for SDNY
- 1ALWAYS check assigned judge's individual practices - they override general rules
- 2SDNY judges often require joint pretrial orders with specific exhibit formats
- 3Use PX/DX prefixes consistently (some judges require specific formats)
- 4Bates stamp all exhibits - many judges require sequential numbering across documents
- 5File confidential exhibits under seal per Local Rule 6.1
- 6Review ECF Notice of Electronic Filing for any filing errors immediately
Common Mistakes to Avoid
SDNY Exhibit FAQ
How are exhibits marked in the Southern District of New York?
SDNY convention is "PX-1, PX-2, PX-3" for plaintiff exhibits and "DX-A, DX-B, DX-C" for defendant exhibits, per Local Civil Rule 26.3.
What is the CM/ECF file size limit for SDNY?
SDNY accepts documents up to 35 MB per file through CM/ECF (PACER).
Do SDNY judges have their own exhibit requirements beyond the local rules?
Yes, and this matters more in SDNY than in most districts. Judges maintain Individual Practices documents that can override general local rules with specific exhibit formats, courtesy copy requirements, or modified deadlines, so check the assigned judge's practices before every filing.
When must exhibits be exchanged in SDNY civil cases?
Exchange timing follows the case's pretrial order, typically 30 days before trial, and joint pretrial orders usually spell out the detailed exhibit exchange schedule.
How do you file confidential exhibits under seal in SDNY?
Confidential exhibits are filed under seal per Local Rule 6.1, and many SDNY judges require Bates stamping with sequential numbering across all exhibits in a case.
Related Court Guides
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