Court Rules
Judge

Judge Sidney H. Cates IV

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Rules last changed:
Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans

Limits & Logistics

Courtesy Copies

Motion, Order

  • 3 copies

Opposition, Reply, Pretrial Memorandum, Post Trial Memorandum

Adjournments

Court-wide

Request must include

Adversary PositionReason For Request
Filters:AllMandatoryFormatting

Document Format Requirements1 rule

FormattingCivil cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory

The final page of an order or judgment must contain a substantial portion of the document and cannot contain only the date and the judge's signature line.

The Judge will not sign any order/judgment where the last page does not have a substantial portion of the order/judgment. Any orders/judgments submitted with only the date and Judge’s signature line on the last page will not be signed.

Rules-for-Divisoin-C · Jan 2024 · p. 1|SecVI. Judge’s signature page

Document Filing Requirements4 rules

Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory

Every judgment must comply with Rule 9.5 and include the names and addresses of all parties who must receive a Notice of Signing of Judgment.

All Judgments shall follow Rule 9.5 and shall be submitted with the names and addresses of all parties that need to be sent a Notice of Signing of Judgment.

Document Type

Judgment

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Rules-for-Divisoin-C · Jan 2024 · p. 1|SecVII. Rule 9.5
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory

Every motion, order, and judgment submitted for the judge's signature must include the case number and caption on both the document and signature page.

All Motions, Orders, and Judgments submitted for the Judge’s signature shall have the case number and caption on the order/judgment and signature page.

Document Type

Order Or Judgment

Content & Formatting
Caption
Case Number
Rules-for-Divisoin-C · Jan 2024 · p. 1|SecVI. Judge’s signature page
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory

Every pleading must include the full signature line of the attorney submitting it.

All pleadings must have the full signature line of the attorney submitting the pleading.

Document Type

Pleading

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Rules-for-Divisoin-C · Jan 2024 · p. 1|SecII. Attorney signature line
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory

All documents require original signatures; /s/, permission, stamped, and computer-generated signatures are not processed, although any attorney in the firm may sign their own name.

Original signatures are required on all documents. Documents with /s/, “with permission,” stamped, or computer-generated signatures will not be processed. Any attorney in the firm may sign their own name.

Document Type

All Documents

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Rules-for-Divisoin-C · Jan 2024 · p. 1|SecI. Original signatures

Filing & Service rules

Electronic Filing Rules

Exceptions, motions, and orders to set a rule to show cause may be filed electronically or by fax, subject to the stated copy requirements.

When filing any Exceptions, Motions, and Orders to set a rule to show cause (including e-file or fax filing) you must provide (1) a copy for the Judge, (2) a copy for each service with the completed service cover sheet, and (3) a copy to be returned to you with a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases

Page 1 | IV. Copies submitted

Courtesy Copy Requirements

A timely physical copy of each opposition, reply, and pretrial or post-trial memorandum must be delivered to the law clerk and may not be faxed or emailed.

A physical copy of all oppositions, replies, and pretrial and post-trial memoranda is to be timely delivered to the Law Clerk and NOT FAXED or E-MAILED.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases

Page 1 | V. Physical copy to division

For exceptions, motions, and orders to set a rule to show cause, filers must provide a judge's copy, a copy for each service with a completed service cover sheet, and a return copy with a self-addressed stamped envelope.

When filing any Exceptions, Motions, and Orders to set a rule to show cause (including e-file or fax filing) you must provide (1) a copy for the Judge, (2) a copy for each service with the completed service cover sheet, and (3) a copy to be returned to you with a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases

Page 1 | IV. Copies submitted

Chambers Communication Rules

When a trial or motions become moot, withdrawn, or satisfied, or when the case is dismissed or settled, the parties must notify the court by telephone and fax letter.

If a trial or motions become moot, withdrawn, and/or satisfied or if the case is dismissed and/or settled, the parties must call and fax a letter stating so to the court.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases

Page 1 | III. Notification to Court of matters not proceeding

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 55 rules apply across Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 24
  • Applies to
    Administrative stay application

    An administrative-stay request must be presented to the Duty Judge by verified petition of appeal or supporting affidavits establishing immediate irreparable injury and certifying the efforts made to give notice or explaining why notice could not be given.

  • Applies to
    Petition
    Must include
    case number

    Hurricane Katrina and Rita property-damage petitions must bear the case number and be designated "Hurricane Litigation" on the pleadings.

  • Applies to
    Motion to set trial

    Counsel must file a written motion to request that the Division Judge set an allotted case for trial, although the judge retains discretion to grant the request.

Fees

All 9
  • Fee
    $5000
    Applies to
    Jury cash deposit

    A party requesting a jury trial must deposit $5,000.00 with the Clerk of Court for the first day of trial.

  • Fee
    $700
    Applies to
    Jury cash deposit

    A party requesting a jury trial must deposit $700.00 for each additional expected trial day.

  • Applies to
    Jury cash deposit

    The jury cash deposit must be made no later than 60 days before trial.

Filing Timing

All 8

  • For Hurricane Katrina and Rita cases, all motions and exceptions must be filed and disposed of within 30 days of the trial date.

  • Deadline
    15 calendar days

    A typewritten judgment must be submitted within fifteen calendar days after a written stipulation is executed.

  • Deadline
    7 calendar days

    All other judgments, including consent agreements and considered decrees, must be submitted within seven calendar days.

Service

All 8
  • Service
    Personal service

    A copy of the jury cash deposit order was served on counsel of record and/or parties by hand delivery or mail.

  • All pleadings in Small Claims cases must be served in accordance with the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure.

  • Deadline
    5 court days
    Required
    Always
    Service
    Court service to all parties

    In other cases, five judicial days must elapse between notice of trial and trial, with notice served through the Constable or by court order unless law provides otherwise.

More categories

View all Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans rules
About Judge Sidney H. Cates IV

- Office hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm - Chamber: Room 306 - Phone: (504) 407-0220 - Fax: (504) 558-9794 - Chamber staff, in the order the page prints it: Law Clerk: Kevin J. Mulgrew kmulgrew@orleanscdc.com; Court Crier: Adrienne M. Yates ayates@orleanscdc.com; Court Reporter: Laurie Hendrickson lhendrickson@orleanscdc.com; Minute Clerk: Celeste Davis cdavis@orleanscdc.com

Common questions about Judge Sidney H. Cates IV's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Sidney H. Cates IV?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for motions and orders. Details: 3 copies. For exceptions, motions, and orders to set a rule to show cause, filers must provide a judge's copy, a copy for each service with a completed service cover sheet, and a return copy with a self-addressed stamped envelope.

View ruleSource: page 1, section IV. Copies submitted

What must be included with all documents filings before Judge Sidney H. Cates IV?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. All documents require original signatures; /s/, permission, stamped, and computer-generated signatures are not processed, although any attorney in the firm may sign their own name.

View ruleSource: page 1, section I. Original signatures

What must be included with pleading filings before Judge Sidney H. Cates IV?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Every pleading must include the full signature line of the attorney submitting it.

View ruleSource: page 1, section II. Attorney signature line

How may parties contact Judge Sidney H. Cates IV's chambers?

The rule addresses phone communications. When a trial or motions become moot, withdrawn, or satisfied, or when the case is dismissed or settled, the parties must notify the court by telephone and fax letter.

View ruleSource: page 1, section III. Notification to Court of matters not proceeding

Is electronic filing required before Judge Sidney H. Cates IV?

Electronic filing is permitted for the covered filings. Exceptions, motions, and orders to set a rule to show cause may be filed electronically or by fax, subject to the stated copy requirements.

View ruleSource: page 1, section IV. Copies submitted
Complete rules summary for Judge Sidney H. Cates IV

All documents require original signatures; /s/, permission, stamped, and computer-generated signatures are not processed, although any attorney in the firm may sign their own name.

Every pleading must include the full signature line of the attorney submitting it.

When a trial or motions become moot, withdrawn, or satisfied, or when the case is dismissed or settled, the parties must notify the court by telephone and fax letter.

For exceptions, motions, and orders to set a rule to show cause, filers must provide a judge's copy, a copy for each service with a completed service cover sheet, and a return copy with a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Exceptions, motions, and orders to set a rule to show cause may be filed electronically or by fax, subject to the stated copy requirements.

A timely physical copy of each opposition, reply, and pretrial or post-trial memorandum must be delivered to the law clerk and may not be faxed or emailed.

Every motion, order, and judgment submitted for the judge's signature must include the case number and caption on both the document and signature page.

The final page of an order or judgment must contain a substantial portion of the document and cannot contain only the date and the judge's signature line.

Every judgment must comply with Rule 9.5 and include the names and addresses of all parties who must receive a Notice of Signing of Judgment.

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