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Court Rules
Judge

Judge Emilio Colaiacovo

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

New York Supreme Court, Erie County

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

Affidavits or Affirmations
7,000 wds
Case Summary
1 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Motion Papers

  • Two Weeks Prior to Oral Argument

Communication

Email

Chambers

Scheduling
Filters:

Page & Word Limits2 rules

Page LimitsMandatoryCivil cases

Affidavits or Affirmations shall not exceed the 7,000 word limitation, unless prior approval from the Court is granted.

Affidavits or affirmations
Up to 7,000 words
Applies to
  • Affidavits
  • Affirmations

Exception

More words with leave of court

JudgeColaiacovo2026 · p. 1
|SectionSpecial Term
Page LimitsMandatoryCivil cases

A brief summary (no more than a page) of the case is required one week prior to the initial conference.

Case summary
Up to 1 page
JudgeColaiacovo2026 · p. 2
|SectionCommercial/Medical Malpractice Conferences

Document Format Requirements3 rules

FormattingImportantCivil cases

Motion papers and submitted orders must not be double sided.

JudgeColaiacovo2026 · p. 1
|SectionSpecial Term
FormattingImportantCivil cases

Marked pleadings and papers for motions in limine

Applies to
  • Motions in limine

Formatting

  • Marked pleadings and papers
JudgeColaiacovo2026 · p. 2
|SectionTrials and Hearings: Commercial/Medical Malpractice
FormattingImportantCivil cases

Formal requests to charge and proposed verdict sheets must be submitted one week prior to jury selection in Microsoft Word format to the Law Clerk.

File type
Word
Applies to
  • Requests to charge
  • Proposed verdict sheets
JudgeColaiacovo2026 · p. 2
|SectionTrials and Hearings: Commercial/Medical Malpractice

Document Filing Requirements2 rules

Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

A transcript of the Court’s decision, where applicable, must be attached to the proposed Order.

Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

The submitted order must indicate that it was sent to all opposing counsel or pro se litigants and that no objection was received.

Court's wording

Orders must be submitted by the prevailing party within thirty (30) days from decision date with indication that the Order has been sent out to all opposing counsel or pro se litigant and that no objection has been received.

Filing & Service rules

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

Answering papers and cross-motions must be received when counsel is served and at least seven days before the return date unless the Court approves otherwise.

Answering papers and/or cross-motions must be received at the same time counsel is served pursuant to the applicable provisions of the CPLR, but no less than seven (7) days prior to the return date unless approved by the Court.

Civil cases

Page 1 | Special Term

Formal requests to charge and proposed verdict sheets must be submitted to the Law Clerk one week before jury selection in Microsoft Word format.

Formal requests to charge and proposed verdict sheets must be submitted one week prior to jury selection in Microsoft Word format to the Law Clerk.

Civil cases

Page 2 | Trials and Hearings: Commercial/Medical Malpractice

Marked pleadings and papers for motions in limine must be submitted at least two days before trial begins.

Marked pleadings and papers for motions in limine must be submitted at least two [2] days prior to start of trial.

Civil cases

Page 2 | Trials and Hearings: Commercial/Medical Malpractice

The prevailing party must submit the order within 30 days of the decision and state that it was sent to all opposing counsel or pro se litigants without objection.

Orders must be submitted by the prevailing party within thirty (30) days from decision date with indication that the Order has been sent out to all opposing counsel or pro se litigant and that no objection has been received.

Civil cases

Page 3 | Orders

The Court will adjourn motions when the supporting papers are not timely filed.

Motions will be adjourned by the Court if papers are not timely filed.

Civil cases

Page 1 | Special Term

If no objections are received after ten days, the order will be signed without further delay.

If no objections are received after ten (10) days, the Order will be signed without further delay.

Civil cases

Page 3 | Orders

The court will not sign an order unless opposing counsel has had at least seven days to review it.

Orders will not be signed unless opposing counsel has had an opportunity to review for at least seven (7) days.

Civil cases

Page 3 | Orders

Service and Proof of Service Rules

Reply papers must be served at least four dates before the return date unless the Court approves otherwise.

Reply papers must be served no less than four (4) dates prior to the return date unless approved by the Court.

Civil cases

Page 1 | Special Term

Each party must provide a written settlement proposal to the other party at least two weeks before the initial appearance.

Each party must submit a settlement proposal to the other party in writing no less than two weeks before the initial appearance.

Civil cases

Page 2 | Matrimonial Conferences

A temporary restraining order must be served or otherwise placed on notice to opposing counsel when that counsel is known.

TROs must be on notice to opposing counsel if known.

Civil cases

Page 3 | Temporary Restraining Orders (TRO)

Courtesy Copy Requirements

Counsel must provide chambers with a hard copy of all motion papers two weeks before oral argument.

Counsel is to provide chambers a hard copy of all motion papers two weeks prior to oral argument.

Civil cases

Page 1 | Special Term

Adjournment & Extension Requirements

Trial adjournments require compelling circumstances and may be granted only by the Judge or staff during a pretrial conference addressing the issue.

The Court adheres strictly to its trial calendar; adjournments of a trial require a showing of compelling circumstances. No adjournments of trial will be granted other than by the Judge or his staff during a pretrial conference convened to address that issue.

Civil cases

Page 2 | Trials and Hearings: Commercial/Medical Malpractice

Adjournments require party consent and Court approval and may be requested by contacting the Court Secretary or Law Clerk.

Adjournments will be granted with consent of the parties, subject to the Court’s approval, by contacting the Court Secretary or Law Clerk.

Civil cases

Page 2 | Matrimonial Conferences

Chambers Communication Rules

The Court will use email to schedule conferences and conduct other general correspondence as often as possible.

The Court will use e-mail to schedule conferences and for other general correspondence as often as possible.

Civil cases

Page 1 | Special Term

Counsel should provide the Court with an email address to facilitate communication.

Counsel should forward the Court an e-mail address to facilitate communication.

Civil cases

Page 1 | Special Term

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 4 rules apply across New York Supreme Court, Erie County. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 3
  • Applies to
    236B financial affidavit

    Both sides must exchange completed 236B Financial Affidavits before the first court conference.

  • Applies to
    Final judgment roll

    Within a few weeks after the specified stipulation or fully executed agreements, one attorney must submit the final judgment roll, including the final Findings and Judgment.

  • Applies to
    Proposed dispositions

    Parties or their attorneys will exchange "proposed dispositions" after the information has been exchanged to allow the Court to narrow or resolve some or all of the issues.

Service

All 1
  • A certified copy of the final judgment must be served on both parties.

Common questions about Judge Emilio Colaiacovo's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Emilio Colaiacovo?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for motion papers. Details: delivery two weeks prior to oral argument. Counsel must provide chambers with a hard copy of all motion papers two weeks before oral argument.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Special Term

What page or word limits apply to affidavits or affirmations before Judge Emilio Colaiacovo?

Judge Emilio Colaiacovo's rule states these limits: 7000 words. Affidavits and affirmations are limited to 7,000 words unless the Court grants prior approval.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Special Term

What page or word limits apply to case summary before Judge Emilio Colaiacovo?

Judge Emilio Colaiacovo's rule states these limits: 1 pages. A case summary of no more than one page is required one week before the initial conference.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Commercial/Medical Malpractice Conferences

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Emilio Colaiacovo?

Judge Emilio Colaiacovo's formatting rule includes file format docx. Formal requests to charge and proposed verdict sheets must be submitted in Microsoft Word format.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Trials and Hearings: Commercial/Medical Malpractice

What must be included with proposed order filings before Judge Emilio Colaiacovo?

The submitted order must indicate that it was sent to all opposing counsel or pro se litigants and that no objection was received.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Orders

How may parties contact Judge Emilio Colaiacovo's chambers?

Counsel should provide the Court with an email address to facilitate communication.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Special Term

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Emilio Colaiacovo?

Trial adjournments require compelling circumstances and may be granted only by the Judge or staff during a pretrial conference addressing the issue.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Trials and Hearings: Commercial/Medical Malpractice

What filing deadlines apply to answering papers and cross motions filings before Judge Emilio Colaiacovo?

Answering papers and cross-motions must be received when counsel is served and at least seven days before the return date unless the Court approves otherwise.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Special Term

What rule applies to service for reply papers before Judge Emilio Colaiacovo?

Details: timing: before hearing. Reply papers must be served at least four dates before the return date unless the Court approves otherwise.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Special Term
Complete rules summary for Judge Emilio Colaiacovo

Counsel must provide chambers with a hard copy of all motion papers two weeks before oral argument.

Answering papers and cross-motions must be received when counsel is served and at least seven days before the return date unless the Court approves otherwise.

Reply papers must be served at least four dates before the return date unless the Court approves otherwise.

Affidavits and affirmations are limited to 7,000 words unless the Court grants prior approval.

The Court will adjourn motions when the supporting papers are not timely filed.

Motion papers and submitted orders may not be double sided.

Adjournments require party consent and Court approval and may be requested by contacting the Court Secretary or Law Clerk.

A case summary of no more than one page is required one week before the initial conference.

Each party must provide a written settlement proposal to the other party at least two weeks before the initial appearance.

Trial adjournments require compelling circumstances and may be granted only by the Judge or staff during a pretrial conference addressing the issue.

Counsel should provide the Court with an email address to facilitate communication.

Marked pleadings and papers for motions in limine must be submitted at least two days before trial begins.

Pleadings and papers filed for motions in limine must be marked.

Formal requests to charge and proposed verdict sheets must be submitted to the Law Clerk one week before jury selection in Microsoft Word format.

Formal requests to charge and proposed verdict sheets must be submitted in Microsoft Word format.

The prevailing party must submit the order within 30 days of the decision and state that it was sent to all opposing counsel or pro se litigants without objection.

The submitted order must indicate that it was sent to all opposing counsel or pro se litigants and that no objection was received.

When applicable, a transcript of the Court's decision must be attached to the proposed order.

The court will not sign an order unless opposing counsel has had at least seven days to review it.

If no objections are received after ten days, the order will be signed without further delay.

A temporary restraining order must be served or otherwise placed on notice to opposing counsel when that counsel is known.

The Court will use email to schedule conferences and conduct other general correspondence as often as possible.

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