Judge Walter Rivera
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
- When practicable, a request to adjourn a Preliminary Conference must be made at least two business days before the conference, include two proposed alternative dates, and propose dates no later than one month after the scheduled conference.
- A motion-adjournment application must state the reason, whether opposing parties consent or object, and the length of adjournment sought or, with consent, a date when all parties are available.
Request must include
Communication
Clerk4 contacts
- motionsupportwestchester@nycourts.gov
- (914) 824-5446
- (845) 476-3429
- (914) 824-5623
Other Contacts2 contacts
- (646) 386-3033
- rocklandauctions@nycourts.gov
Chambers1 contacts
- medmalwestchester@nycourts.gov
Document Format Requirements1 rule
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
All affirmations, affidavits, and memoranda of law must contain numbered pages and comply with CPLR 2106.
Summary: Affirmations, affidavits, and memoranda of law must contain consecutively numbered pages.
Document Filing Requirements11 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Mandatory
The dates in the Preliminary Conference Order may not be modified except by court order.
No modifications of the dates in the Preliminary Conference Order are permitted except by Order of the Court.
Document Type
Preliminary Conference Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Mandatory
A Note of Issue may not be filed before the Court issues a Trial Readiness Order.
A Note of Issue shall NOT be filed until a Trial Readiness Order has been issued by the Court.
Document Type
Note Of Issue
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Mandatory
Counsel must upload to NYSCEF a letter describing the discovery dispute and the efforts made to resolve it.
Instead, counsel must upload a letter to NYSCEF to advise of the nature of the dispute and the efforts that have been made toward resolution.
Document Type
Discovery Dispute Letter
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Mandatory
A motion by counsel seeking relief must be brought by Order to Show Cause and include a proposed order.
All motions by counsel seeking to be relieved must be made by Order to Show Cause and include a proposed order.
Document Type
Motion To Be Relieved
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Mandatory
A moving party seeking temporary injunctive relief through an Order to Show Cause must demonstrate compliance with the prescribed notice requirements.
If an Order to Show Cause seeks temporary injunctive relief, counsel for the moving party or a self-represented moving party must demonstrate compliance with the notice requirements of Rule 202.7 (f) of the Uniform Rules for the Trial Courts.
Document Type
Order To Show Cause
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Mandatory
The written-decision submission must include both a proposed order and the transcript of the bench-decision proceedings.
Where the Court issues a Bench Decision following a non-jury trial and a party desires a written Decision and Order, the party shall upload, a proposed order to NYSCEF together with the transcript of the proceedings at which the Bench Decision was rendered to be “So Ordered.”
Document Type
Written Decision Submission
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Mandatory
When seeking a deviation from a pattern jury charge, counsel must upload the charge’s full text and a case-law-supported legal memorandum to NYSCEF.
If a deviation is sought, counsel shall upload the full text of the proposed charge to NYSCEF, together with the legal memorandum supported by case law.
Document Type
Proposed Jury Charges
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Mandatory
The trial-commencement filing must include pretrial memoranda, expert reports, applicable jury-trial documents, a joint stipulation, witness lists, exhibit books, and all motions in limine.
On the date of the commencement of the Trial, the parties shall upload to NYSCEF: 1) pre-trial memoranda of law compliant with 22 NYCRR § 202.20-h (a), 2) a copy of all expert reports; 3) for jury trials, proposed jury charges and special verdict sheets; 4) a joint stipulation regarding undisputed material facts, issues/claims that have been resolved and/or withdrawn and issues/claims remaining to be tried; 5) witness lists compliant with 22 NYCRR § 202.37; 6) exhibit books compliant with 22 NYCRR § 202.20-h (b); and 7) all Motions in Limine.
Document Type
Trial Submissions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Mandatory
The parties must jointly prepare the verdict sheet; if they cannot agree, each must email its proposed verdict sheet to the Principal Law Clerk with notice to every other party.
A verdict sheet must be jointly prepared. If an agreement cannot be reached, each party must submit a proposed verdict sheet to the Principal Law Clerk via email on notice to all other parties.
Document Type
Verdict Sheet
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Important
When no deviation from a pattern jury charge is sought, only the PJI numbers and topics must be submitted.
For proposed jury charges, unless a deviation from the pattern charge is sought, only the PJI numbers and topics need be submitted.
Document Type
Proposed Jury Charges
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Orders, judgments, counter-orders and/or counter-judgments submitted for signature on notice may be returned unsigned and/or otherwise rejected by the Court unless an Affidavit of Service and Notice of Settlement for a date designated in accordance with 22 NYCRR § 202.48 is annexed thereto.
Summary: An order, judgment, counter-order, or counter-judgment submitted for signature on notice must have an Affidavit of Service and an appropriately designated Notice of Settlement annexed.
Document Type
Order Judgment Counter Order Or Counter Judgment
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
The parties must complete and upload the proposed Preliminary Conference Order to NYSCEF at least two weeks before the conference.
The proposed Preliminary Conference Order shall be completed and uploaded by the parties to NYSCEF at least two (2) weeks before the conference.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 3 | A. Preliminary Conferences
When the matter is ready for trial, the parties must upload a proposed Trial Readiness Stipulation and Order to NYSCEF.
If the matter is ready for trial, the parties shall upload a proposed Trial Readiness Stipulation & Order to NYSCEF.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 3 | C. Trial Readiness Conferences
Each party must upload the completed Settlement Conference Form to NYSCEF at least 48 hours before the settlement conference.
At least 48 hours before the Settlement Conference, each party shall upload the completed Settlement Conference Form to NYSCEF.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 4 | D. Settlement Conferences
Each NYSCEF exhibit must contain one document and be uploaded separately; multiple documents may not be grouped as one exhibit.
Multiple documents shall not be grouped together as a single exhibit. Each exhibit shall contain only a single document and be separately uploaded to NYSCEF.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 6 | MOTIONS — A. General
A party seeking a written decision after a non-jury bench decision must upload a proposed order and the proceeding transcript to NYSCEF for signature.
Where the Court issues a Bench Decision following a non-jury trial and a party desires a written Decision and Order, the party shall upload, a proposed order to NYSCEF together with the transcript of the proceedings at which the Bench Decision was rendered to be “So Ordered.”
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 7 | JUDGMENTS, DECISIONS AND ORDERS — A. General
An Order to Show Cause submitted for signature must be uploaded to NYSCEF after paying any required fee at the County Clerk’s Office.
An Order to Show Cause submitted for signature must be uploaded to NYSCEF after the payment of any required fee at the County Clerk’s Office.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 7 | B. Orders to Show Cause and Requests for Temporary Relief
At trial commencement, the parties must upload seven specified categories of pretrial submissions to NYSCEF.
On the date of the commencement of the Trial, the parties shall upload to NYSCEF: 1) pre-trial memoranda of law compliant with 22 NYCRR § 202.20-h (a), 2) a copy of all expert reports; 3) for jury trials, proposed jury charges and special verdict sheets; 4) a joint stipulation regarding undisputed material facts, issues/claims that have been resolved and/or withdrawn and issues/claims remaining to be tried; 5) witness lists compliant with 22 NYCRR § 202.37; 6) exhibit books compliant with 22 NYCRR § 202.20-h (b); and 7) all Motions in Limine.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 8 | TRIAL PRATICE RULES — B. Commencement of Trial
After a non-jury trial, counsel must jointly upload the proceeding transcript to NYSCEF according to the schedule set by the Court.
For non-jury trials, in accordance with the schedule set by the Court at the conclusion of the trial, counsel for the parties shall jointly upload a transcript of the proceeding to NYSCEF
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 9 | F. Post-Trial Submissions
At trial conclusion, counsel and self-represented parties must upload admitted exhibits and other documents needed to complete the appellate record to NYSCEF.
At the conclusion of the trial, counsel and any self-represented party shall upload any exhibits admitted into evidence and any other document required to complete the record for purposes of any appeal to NYSCEF.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 9 | G. Trial Conclusion
Each party must prepare and upload a post-trial memorandum to NYSCEF unless the Court has issued a Bench Decision or directed otherwise.
each party must prepare a post-trial memorandum and upload it to NYSCEF, unless the Court has issued a Bench Decision or directed otherwise.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 9 | F. Post-Trial Submissions
The filer should upload original initiating motion papers to NYSCEF.
Original initiating motion papers should be uploaded to NYSCEF.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 6 | MOTIONS — A. General
Counsel must upload the required discovery-dispute letter electronically through NYSCEF.
Instead, counsel must upload a letter to NYSCEF to advise of the nature of the dispute and the efforts that have been made toward resolution.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 5 | DISCOVERY DISPUTES
The Settlement Conference Form must be filed on NYSCEF.
Settlement Conference Form must be filed on NYSCEF *
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 10 | Settlement Conference Form
For non-e-filed cases only, the Settlement Conference Form must be emailed to slmgonza@nycourts.gov.
FOR NON-EFILED CASES ONLY, FILE THIS FORM BY E-MAIL TO: slmgonza@nycourts.gov
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 10 | Settlement Conference Form
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The completed Settlement Conference Form must be uploaded at least 48 hours before the settlement conference.
At least 48 hours before the Settlement Conference, each party shall upload the completed Settlement Conference Form to NYSCEF.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 4 | D. Settlement Conferences
The Court ordinarily will not consider sur-replies, correspondence, or papers filed after a motion's final submission date without court approval.
The Court does not accept sur-reply papers or correspondence on motions, nor any papers filed after the final submission date of the motion without court approval.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 6 | MOTIONS — A. General
Summary Judgment must be moved within 60 days after filing the Note of Issue unless the Court directs otherwise.
Summary Judgment motions must be made within sixty (60) days of the filing of the Note of Issue, unless otherwise directed by the Court.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 6 | MOTIONS — B. Motions for Summary Judgment
The Settlement Conference Form is due 48 hours before the conference.
48 HOURS BEFORE the conference
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 10 | Settlement Conference Form
An Order to Show Cause filed through NYSCEF is generally reviewed on the next business day.
Generally, an Order to Show Cause filed via NYSCEF is reviewed by the Court the business day after filing.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 7 | B. Orders to Show Cause and Requests for Temporary Relief
The party filing the RJI must provide written notice of the preliminary conference date to non-e-filing parties and submit proof of notice through NYSCEF at least five days before the conference.
The party who files the RJI shall advise all parties who are not participating in E-filing of the date for the preliminary conference in writing and submit proof of such notice via NYSCEF at least five (5) days before the preliminary conference.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | A. Preliminary Conferences
A written motion in limine must be returnable at least three days before trial unless the court directs otherwise, and an untimely motion may be denied.
Any motions seeking to exclude potential evidence shall be made in writing and shall be returnable at least three (3) days in advance of the trial unless the Court directs otherwise. Failure to bring the matter before the Court in a timely fashion may result in the denial of such motion.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 7 | C. Motions in Limine
Service and Proof of Service Rules
When the parties cannot agree on a verdict sheet, each must email a proposed verdict sheet to the Principal Law Clerk while giving notice to all other parties.
If an agreement cannot be reached, each party must submit a proposed verdict sheet to the Principal Law Clerk via email on notice to all other parties.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 8 | TRIAL PRATICE RULES — E. Verdict Sheet
At least two business days before a pre-trial examination transcript is read, its proponent must provide a complete copy with page-and-line citations to the court and all other parties.
If any part of a transcript of an examination before trial will be read as evidence-in- chief, the proponent of the transcript must provide a complete copy of it to the Court and all other counsel and/or self-represented parties at least two (2) business days in advance, including citations to the page and line numbers for all portions to be read, so that all objections may be addressed by the Court prior to the proposed reading.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 8 | TRIAL PRATICE RULES — D. Copies of Transcripts
Filing Fees and Waivers
Motion papers must include proof that any required filing fee was paid to the County Clerk.
Motion papers must be accompanied by proof of payment of any required fee to the County Clerk.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 6 | MOTIONS — A. General
Filing Bundling Requirements
All documents needed to decide an application must be included with that application; prior filings with the Clerk are insufficient.
All documents required to decide an application must be included therewith. It is not sufficient that documents may have previously been filed with the Clerk of the Court.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 6 | MOTIONS — A. General
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
A party may not file a discovery motion unless the Court authorizes or directs it.
Therefore, no discovery motion is to be made by any party unless authorized or directed by the Court.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 5 | DISCOVERY DISPUTES
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A motion-adjournment application must state the reason, whether opposing parties consent or object, and the length of adjournment sought or, with consent, a date when all parties are available.
All applications for adjournments of motions must set forth: 1) the reason why an adjournment is necessary; 2) whether the opposing party(ies) consent(s) or object(s) to the application; and 3) the length of the adjournment sought or, if on consent, a date all parties are available.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 4 | ADJOURNMENTS
When practicable, a request to adjourn a Preliminary Conference must be made at least two business days before the conference, include two proposed alternative dates, and propose dates no later than one month after the scheduled conference.
request for adjournments of a Preliminary Conference, when practicable, “shall be made at least two (2) business days before the scheduled conference and shall include two (2) proposed alternative dates for rescheduling the conference, which dates shall be no later than one (1) month following the scheduled virtual [or in person] preliminary conference.”
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 4 | ADJOURNMENTS
Chambers Communication Rules
Ex-parte communications with the Court are strictly prohibited.
Any ex-parte communication is strictly prohibited.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 1 | COURT COMMUNICATIONS
Correspondence must be sent through NYSCEF unless the Court directs otherwise, and copies of e-filed correspondence must not be sent to the Court by email or regular mail.
All Correspondence must only be sent via NYSCEF, unless otherwise directed by the Court. Do not send copies of e-filed correspondence to the Court via email or regular mail.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 1 | COURT COMMUNICATIONS
Self-represented parties may not contact the Court’s law clerks and must direct all communications through the Part Clerk.
Self-represented parties must not contact the Court’s Law Clerks and must direct all communications through the Part Clerk.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 1 | COURT COMMUNICATIONS
The Court does not accept legal papers by fax unless it specifically approves fax transmission in advance for the particular case.
Unless specifically approved by the Court in advance in a particular case, the Court does not accept legal papers of any kind by fax transmission.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 2 | COURT COMMUNICATIONS
A conference adjournment request requires opposing counsel's consent, after which the requesting party must upload the request to NYSCEF and email it to the Part Clerk.
Adjournments of conferences may be requested on consent of opposing counsel. After obtaining such consent, the requesting party shall upload the adjournment request to NYSCEF and email it to the Part Clerk.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 4 | ADJOURNMENTS
Counsel must immediately email the Part Clerk when an action or proceeding is settled or withdrawn.
Counsel must notify the Part Clerk by email of the settlement or withdrawal of any action or proceeding immediately upon such settlement or withdrawal.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 5 | SETTLED AND DISCONTINUED CASES
Correspondence must include the action’s full title and index number, be concise, and state the relief or action requested from the Court.
Correspondence must bear the full Title and Index Number of the action. It shall be concise and state the relief sought or the action requested to be taken by the Court.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 1 | COURT COMMUNICATIONS
Telephone calls to Chambers are permitted only when immediate attention is required and the matter cannot be handled through NYSCEF correspondence or the Part Clerk, subject to stated exceptions.
Except as set forth below, telephone calls to Chambers are permitted only in situations requiring immediate attention that cannot otherwise be obtained by correspondence via NYSCEF or by contacting the Part Clerk.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 1 | COURT COMMUNICATIONS
When an Order of Protection bars contact with the opposing party, a party concerned about noncompliance must contact Chambers without contacting the opponent.
Exception: Where an Order of Protection prohibits one party from contacting another party, the party who believes that discovery is not being complied with shall contact Chambers without contacting the opposing party.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 5 | DISCOVERY DISPUTES
After filing an Order to Show Cause, the party may contact the Principal Law Clerk if the submission requires more immediate attention.
If a submission requires more immediate attention, please contact the Principal Law Clerk after the Order to Show Cause is filed.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 7 | B. Orders to Show Cause and Requests for Temporary Relief
General e-filing questions may be directed to the E-Filing Resource Center by phone at (646) 386-3033 or by email at efile@nycourts.gov.
General questions about e-filing may be directed to the E-Filing Resource Center at (646) 386-3033 or via email at efile@nycourts.gov.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 2 | E-FILING RULES
Requests to adjourn motions must be emailed to the Motion Support Part at the specified court email address.
Requests for adjournments of motions must be emailed to the Motion Support Part at motionsupportwestchester@nycourts.gov.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 4 | ADJOURNMENTS