Court Rules
Judge

Judge Kai N. Scott

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Rules last changed:
Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Filters:AllMandatoryImportantFormattingTRO/InjunctionDiscoveryEvidence/Witnesses

Document Format Requirements1 rule

FormattingCivil cases

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

If the parties cannot agree to the format for document production, electronic documents shall be produced to the requesting party as image files (e.g., PDF or TIFF). When the image file is produced, the producing party must preserve the integrity of the electronic document's contents, i.e., the original formatting of the document, its metadata and, where applicable, its revision history.

Summary: Electronic documents must be produced as image files (PDF/TIFF) if parties cannot agree on format.

Required Format

PDF

scopolb · p. 4
|SecFormat

Document Filing Requirements10 rules

Filing Requirements

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

If any attorney for a party, or a pro se party, has used generative Artificial Intelligence ("AI")—including but not limited to ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, or any other program that uses machine learning to create new content—in a citation of any legal authority filed with the Court, and assigned to Judge Kai N. Scott, then they MUST, in a clear and plain factual statement, disclose that generative AI has been used to assist with the citation of legal authority, disclose what specific generative AI program was used, and CERTIFY that each and every citation of legal authority has been verified as accurate.

Summary: AI-generated legal citations must be disclosed and verified for accuracy.

Document Type

Legal Citation

Content & Formatting
Ai Disclosure
scopole · Mar 2025 · p. 1
|SecSTANDING ORDER RE: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN CASES ASSIGNED TO JUDGE SCOTT
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

The parties shall reach agreement as to the method of searching, and the words, terms, and phrases to be searched with the assistance of the respective e-discovery liaisons, who are charged with familiarity with the parties' respective systems.

Summary: Parties must agree on search methodology with e-discovery liaisons.

Document Type

Discovery Agreement

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
scopolb · p. 3
|SecSearch methodology
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

Discovery of electronic documents shall proceed in the following sequenced fashion: a. After receiving requests for document production, the parties shall search their documents, other than those identified as limited accessibility electronic documents, and produce responsive electronic documents in accordance with Rule 26(b)(2) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure; b. Electronic searches of documents identified as of limited accessibility shall not be conducted until the initial electronic document search has been completed;

Summary: Electronic discovery must follow sequenced process with limited accessibility documents last.

Document Type

Discovery Plan

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
scopolb · p. 3
|SecTiming of e-discovery
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

If the parties intend to employ an electronic search to locate relevant electronic documents, the parties shall disclose, within thirty days, any restrictions as to the scope and the method which might affect their ability to conduct a complete electronic search of the electronic documents.

Summary: Parties must disclose electronic search restrictions within 30 days.

Document Type

Discovery Disclosure

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
scopolb · p. 3
|SecSearch methodology
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

The parties shall negotiate an agreement that outlines the steps each party shall take to segregate and preserve the integrity of all relevant electronic documents.

Summary: Parties must negotiate agreement on steps to preserve electronic documents.

Document Type

Preservation Agreement

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
scopolb · p. 4
|SecRetention
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

After initial production in image file format is complete, a party must demonstrate particularized need for production of electronic documents in their native format.

Summary: Native format production requires demonstration of particularized need after initial image file production.

Document Type

Native Format Request

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
scopolb · p. 4
|SecFormat
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

On-site inspections of electronic media under Rule 34(b) shall not be permitted, absent exceptional circumstances where good cause and specific need have been demonstrated.

Summary: On-site inspections of electronic media prohibited unless exceptional circumstances.

Document Type

Inspection Request

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
scopolb · p. 4
|SecTiming of e-discovery
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

Electronic searches of documents identified as of limited accessibility shall not be conducted until the initial electronic document search has been completed; requests for limited accessibility documents must be narrowly focused with a factual basis supporting the request;

Summary: Limited accessibility document searches require narrow focus and factual basis.

Document Type

Limited Accessibility Request

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
scopolb · p. 4
|SecTiming of e-discovery
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

The retention coordinators shall: a. Take steps to ensure that e-mail of identified custodians shall not be permanently deleted in the ordinary course of business and that electronic documents

Summary: Retention coordinators must ensure identified custodians' emails are not permanently deleted.

Document Type

Retention Coordinator Responsibilities

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
scopolb · p. 4
|SecRetention
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?

In order to avoid later accusations of spoliation, a Rule 30(b)(6) deposition of each party's retention coordinator may be appropriate.

Summary: Rule 30(b)(6) deposition of retention coordinator may be appropriate to avoid spoliation accusations.

Document Type

Retention Coordinator Deposition

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
scopolb · p. 4
|SecRetention
About United States District Judge Kai N. Scott

**Judge Kai N. Scott** was appointed to the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by President Joe Biden in 2022. Judge Scott received her undergraduate degree from Hampton University and her law degree from the West Virginia University College of Law. She began her career as a law clerk for the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers Compensation and then spent years as a trial attorney and assistant federal defender with the Defender Association of Philadelphia and the Federal Community Defender Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, ultimately serving as Trial Unit Chief. In 2015 she was elected to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas to a ten-year term. **Education** - West Virginia University College of Law, J.D., 1995 - Hampton University, B.A., 1991 **Career** - Law clerk, Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers Compensation (1996–1998) - Trial Attorney, Defender Association of Philadelphia (1998–2004) - Assistant Federal Defender and Trial Unit Chief, Federal Community Defender Office, E.D. Pa. (2004–2015) - Judge, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas (2016–2022) - U.S. District Judge, E.D. Pa. (2022–present)

**Courthouse:** James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse, 601 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 **Chambers:** Room 13613 **Email:** chambers_of_judge_kai_scott@paed.uscourts.gov **Chambers Staff** - Judicial Assistant: Tayai Lester, (267) 299-7590, tayai_lester@paed.uscourts.gov - Courtroom Deputy: Sue Flaherty, (267) 299-7598, susan_flaherty@paed.uscourts.gov

Common questions about Judge Kai N. Scott's rules

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Kai N. Scott?

Judge Kai N. Scott's formatting rule includes file format PDF, preserve original formatting, preserve metadata, and preserve revision history. Electronic documents must be produced as image files (PDF/TIFF) if parties cannot agree on format.

View ruleSource: page 4, section Format

What must be included with legal citation filings before Judge Kai N. Scott?

The rule requires ai disclosure. AI-generated legal citations must be disclosed and verified for accuracy.

View ruleSource: page 1, section STANDING ORDER RE: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN CASES ASSIGNED TO JUDGE SCOTT

What must be included with discovery disclosure filings before Judge Kai N. Scott?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Parties must disclose electronic search restrictions within 30 days.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Search methodology
Complete rules summary for Judge Kai N. Scott

AI-generated legal citations must be disclosed and verified for accuracy.

Parties must disclose electronic search restrictions within 30 days.

Parties must agree on search methodology with e-discovery liaisons.

Electronic discovery must follow sequenced process with limited accessibility documents last.

Limited accessibility document searches require narrow focus and factual basis.

On-site inspections of electronic media prohibited unless exceptional circumstances.

Electronic documents must be produced as image files (PDF/TIFF) if parties cannot agree on format.

Native format production requires demonstration of particularized need after initial image file production.

Parties must negotiate agreement on steps to preserve electronic documents.

Rule 30(b)(6) deposition of retention coordinator may be appropriate to avoid spoliation accusations.

Retention coordinators must ensure identified custodians' emails are not permanently deleted.

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