Judge Rolf M. Thorsen
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Attorney filings
Court-wide- 1 copy • Following Initial Notification
Courtesy copies
Court-wide- Civil, Pro Se:
- Not required
- Civil, Pro Se:Within 48 Hours
Note of Issue and Certificate of Readiness
Court-wide- Within Two Business Days
Stipulation of Discontinuance
Court-wide- 1 copy
Adjournments
- An appearance or motion adjournment request must be written, noticed, filed on NYSCEF at least 36 hours before the deadline, include the specified information, and obtain the Court's written approval; otherwise, the parties must appear.
Communication
Other Contacts3 contacts
Chambers1 contacts
Document Format Requirements6 rules
All social security numbers contained in any documents uploaded onto NYSCEF shall be set forth in the following format: xxx-xx-____.
Documents shall be properly identified.
Formatting
- •Documents must be properly identified
Exhibits must be uploaded as separate, properly identified documents rather than contained within an affirmation or other uploaded document.
- Exhibits
Formatting
- •Exhibits must be uploaded separately and properly identified
Court's wording
Exhibits shall be uploaded separately and properly identified. (For example, an Affirmation shall be uploaded and identified as such and any exhibits referenced therein shall be uploaded as separate documents and NOT contained within the uploaded affirmation).
c. Format your documents to ensure that the date and signature line is not the only content on the final page.
d. Social security numbers should be set forth in the following format: xxx-xx-____.
a. The Findings of Fact/Conclusions of Law and Judgment of Divorce should be in the format found on the NYS UCS website.
Document Filing Requirements4 rules
Proposed Orders to Show Cause submitted for signature must be uploaded to NYSCEF.
any application regarding spousal support must be accompanied by a completed Spousal Support Worksheet.
- Document
- Spousal support application
Must include
- •Completed Spousal Support Worksheet
Any application regarding child support must be accompanied by a completed Child Support Worksheet
- Document
- Child support application
Must include
- •Completed Child Support Worksheet
All motions are by submission only unless otherwise advised by the Court. Parties may request oral argument by stating “Oral Argument Requested” on the first page of the papers submitted.
- Document
- Motion
- Placement
- First page
Include
- •Oral Argument Requested
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
All documents and submissions in e-filing cases, including letters, proposed orders, and proposed judgments, must be filed on NYSCEF.
All documents in efile cases must be filed on NYSCEF. All submissions to the Court, including letters, proposed orders, and proposed judgments must be filed on NYSCEF.
Page 3 | 3. E-Filing
Parties must upload the required letter and, as soon as practicable, e-file a fully executed stipulation of settlement or discontinuance on NYSCEF.
notify the Court by uploading a letter to NYSCEF. As soon as is practicable, the parties shall e-file a fully executed stipulation of settlement or discontinuance.
Page 3 | 3. E-Filing
All motion papers and accompanying documents must be uploaded to NYSCEF with the motion sequence number properly identified.
All motion papers and accompanying documents must be uploaded to NYSCEF and properly identify the motion sequence number.
Page 4 | 5. Motions
A proposed Order to Show Cause submitted for signature must be uploaded electronically to NYSCEF.
Proposed Orders to Show Cause submitted for signature must be uploaded to NYSCEF.
Page 4 | 5. Motions — Orders to Show Cause
Working copies are not required, and all documents must be filed electronically.
The Court does not require working copies of documents; all documents are to be electronically filed.
Page 3 | 3. E-Filing
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
A fully executed stipulation of settlement or discontinuance must be e-filed as soon as practicable.
As soon as is practicable, the parties shall e-file a fully executed stipulation of settlement or discontinuance.
Page 3 | 3. E-Filing
motions must be returnable on Friday.
Motions shall be made returnable on Friday.
Page 4 | 5. Motions — Return Date
Service and Proof of Service Rules
A subpoena directed to a municipal or state department or bureau must be issued by motion with at least one day's notice to both the agency and the adverse party.
CPLR Section 2307 requires the issuance of a subpoena on “a department or bureau of a municipal corporation or of the state” be done by motion on at least one day’s notice to the agency and to the adverse party.
Page 7 | 10. Subpoenas
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
An Order to Show Cause may be brought only for a genuine emergency, when a stay is required, or for a post-judgment application.
An Order to Show Cause shall be brought only when there is genuine emergency, a stay is required, or the application is being filed post-judgment.
Page 4 | 5. Motions — Orders to Show Cause
A party seeking a motion must give notice and upload a written pre-motion conference request stating the anticipated motion's basis; the request and any permitted response are limited to two pages, and a response must be filed through NYSCEF within one business day after service.
Pursuant to Section C.3. (Motions) of the Matrimonial Part Operational Rules, any party seeking to make a motion must file a written letter request for a pre-motion conference on notice to all other parties and upload the letter to NYSCEF. The letter request should state the basis of the anticipated motion and may not exceed two (2) pages. All parties so served may serve and file a letter response, not to exceed two (2) pages, via NYSCEF within one (1) business day from service of the notification letter
Page 4 | 5. Motions — Pre-Motion Conference
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Hearing or trial adjournment requests are not permitted except as provided in 22 NYCRR § 125.1.
Requests to Adjourn Hearings/Trials: A request for an adjournment of a hearing/trial is not permitted except as provided in 22 NYCRR § 125.1.
Page 2 | 1. Scheduling and Calendar Matters
An appearance or motion adjournment request must be written, noticed, filed on NYSCEF at least 36 hours before the deadline, include the specified information, and obtain the Court's written approval; otherwise, the parties must appear.
Requests to Adjourn an Appearance/Motion: A request for an adjournment of an appearance or a motion shall be made in writing at least thirty-six (36) hours prior to the appearance or motion deadline, on notice to the other parties and shall be filed on NYSCEF. If the request is not made at least thirty-six (36) hours prior to the appearance or motion deadline, the parties must appear on the appearance date or motion return date. Any party seeking an adjournment must attempt to obtain consent from all other parties in the action. Applications for adjournments must state: (1) the appearance/motion date, (2) three proposed adjourned dates/times on consent, (3) the reason for the request, (4) the number of prior adjournments, and (5) whether the opposing party(ies) consent(s) or object(s) to the request. Absent explicit approval from the Court in writing, the adjournment is not deemed granted, even if the adjournment request is on consent. To the extent that counsel seeks an adjournment based upon engagement of counsel, compliance with the Rules of the Chief Administrative Judge Part 125 shall be complied with, including, but not limited to, the filing of an Affirmation of Engagement.
Page 2 | 1. Scheduling and Calendar Matters
Chambers Communication Rules
Communications with the Court must be written and e-filed with simultaneous copies to all counsel or self-represented parties, and must identify the action, copied recipients, and requested relief; the Court may not be copied on party correspondence unless directed.
Letters: Communications with the Court shall be in writing and e-filed, with copies simultaneously delivered to all counsel or self-represented parties. All correspondence sent to the Court must bear the full title and index number of the action, indicate that all counsel or self-represented parties were copied, and state the relief sought or action requested to be taken by the Court. The Court shall not be copied on correspondence between counsel and/or self-represented litigants, unless the Court so directs.
Page 2 | 2. Communications with the Court
Self-represented parties must direct all communications through the Part Clerk.
Self-represented parties must direct all communications through the Part Clerk.
Page 2 | 2. Communications with the Court
The Court does not accept correspondence or legal papers by fax transmission.
Fax Transmissions: The Court does not accept correspondence or legal papers of any kind by fax transmission.
Page 2 | 2. Communications with the Court
Telephone calls and emails to Chambers are permitted only for immediate matters that cannot be handled through written correspondence; ex parte communications are prohibited, and self-represented parties must use the Part Clerk.
Telephone Calls and E-mails: Telephone calls and e-mails to Chambers are permitted only in situations requiring immediate attention that cannot otherwise be obtained by written correspondence. Any ex parte communication is strictly prohibited. Self-represented parties must direct all communications through the Part Clerk.
Page 2 | 2. Communications with the Court
Scheduling and calendar inquiries should be emailed to Part Clerk Justine Guardiola.
Any inquiries regarding scheduling and calendar matters should be directed to the Part Clerk, Justine Guardiola, via email at jguardio@nycourts.gov.
Page 2 | 1. Scheduling and Calendar Matters
General questions about e-filing rules may be sent by email to efile@courts.state.ny.us.
General questions about E-Filing Rules should be addressed to the E-Filing Resource Center at efile@courts.state.ny.us or (646) 386-2022.
Page 3 | 3. E-Filing