Commercial Division Rule 15 Amended to Encourage Use of Remote Appearance Technology to Avoid Adjournments of Conferences

On July 12, 2022, Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence K. Marks signed an administrative order amending Rule 15 of the Commercial Division Rules, adding a new sentence that provides, “By leave of court as provided by Rule 1 (d), attorneys are encouraged to use remote appearance technology in order to avoid adjournments of conferences.” The purpose of the amendment is to assist with avoiding unnecessary delay of proceedings and consequent inefficiencies and loss of productivity. The full text of the amended rule, which was effective immediately, is as follows:

Rule 15. Adjournments of Conferences. By leave of court as provided by Rule 1 (d), attorneys are encouraged to use remote appearance technology in order to avoid adjournments of conferences. Adjournments on consent are permitted with the approval of the court for good cause where notice of the request is given to all parties. Adjournment of a conference will not change any subsequent date in the preliminary conference order, unless otherwise directed by the court.

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