What's New in ECF

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This page documents the changes to CM/ECF. This list will be updated from time to time. Please check back for future updates. This document is provided to our ECF registered users for informational purposes only.

If you have any questions, please contact the Help Desk.

Date

What's New

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September 2009

CM/ECF Version 3.3.2 Changes:

Login Screen. A notice has been added to the CM/ECF Filer or PACER Login screen, reminding electronic filers of their responsibility to eliminate all personal identifiers from a document before submitting it to the court’s CM/ECF system.

The text of the message is as follows: IMPORTANT NOTICE OF REDACTION RESPONSIBILITY: All filers must redact: Social Security or taxpayer-identification numbers; dates of birth; Names of minor children; and financial account numbers, in Compliance with Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9037. This requirement applies to all documents, including attachments.

The rule title is a hyperlink to the text of the rule. Below the message a check box appears to affirm that the notice has been read and understood. All external filers must check this box to complete the login process.

Docketing. Version 3.3.2 now displays a Have you redacted? message at the docket text submission screen to remind you to eliminate all personal identifiers from a document before filing it in CM/ECF.

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April 2009

Trustee's NDR replaces the current No Distribution Report and will continue to be produced by CM/ECF as a virtual (text only) entry

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March 2009

New United States Trustee Requirements request more data be collected in compliance with the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BACPCPA) reporting regulations. The data will be collected during case opening. A new event Update EOUST Stats is available for entry after case opening.

A new search feature that provides a pop-up window has been added to allow you to search for specific menus or docket events.

Event searches during docketing.

Claim Filing Enhancement. There are several new enhancements to the Claims filing feature in CM/ECF.

You may customize your creditor search by type i.e. 20 Largest Unsecured Creditors, or select a blank line to search all creditor types.

When amending existing claims, it is now possible to select a creditor ID that does not match that of the original claimant.

Amended claims now display the claim amounts from the claim being amended.

View Multiple Documents for a Single Docket Entry. When viewing a main document with attachments you may now combine and view them in one document. When you select a document from the docket report, and if there are attachments, a list is displayed with "View All" and "Download All" buttons appearing at the bottom of the list.

View All will combine all selected documents into one document and will appear on screen.

Download All will combine all the selected documents into a ZIP file.

View and/or Download all Documents for Multiple Docket Entries. A new Option on the Docket Report allows multiple documents to be viewed or Downloaded.

Create Appendix. A new option on the Docket Report called "Create Appendix" allows you to produce a single PDF file that includes both a complete docket sheet and images of the documents selected. If the Create Appendix option is selected, other options are disabled.

Hyperlinks In this new version of CM/ECF 3.2 allows users to file documents that include hyperlinks to a previously filed document in the same case or nother case, as well as to a document that is being filed in the same submission, such as exhibits to motions. A document can be linked to another document in any federal court database if the court is running the appropriate version of CM/ECF that includes the hyperlink function.

The official transcripts of court proceedings will be included in electronic case dockets. A transcript filed by a transcriber is only available for viewing at the clerk's office for the first 90 days. During the 90-day period, if you wish to receive a copy of the transcript it may be purchased from the transcriber to gain remote access to the transcript through PACER. Attorneys and pro se parties who attended the hearing will have the ability to request redaction of personal identifiers from an electronically filed transcript. Identifiers are Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, names of minor children, dates of birth, and home addresses of individuals, other than the debtor. After the 90-day period, the restrictions will be removed and the transcripts will be available to the public.

The 90 day restriction period begins as soon as the transcript is filed. In order to request that a transcript be redacted, use the new event. "Notice of Intent to Request Transcript Redaction"

After docketing the Notice of Intent to Request Transcript Redaction, a Transcript Redaction Request needs to be filed which includes a list of items to be redacted. The information in the pdf should identify the type of identifier that needs to be redacted. (e.g.,minor's name, birth date, etc.) and page and line number where the information appears in the transcript. The list of information will not be available for public viewing.

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February 2009

A new event has been added to the Bankruptcy -> Miscellaneous Menu: Debtor's Request for Separate Notice. This is to be used if there are joint debtors on a case who wish to have court notices sent to them at two different addresses. Otherwise all court communication on a case will be sent to both debtors at the same address.

Effective February 23, 2009, a new dictionary event was introduced due to the revision of the "Notice to Consumer Debtor(s) under §342(b) of the Bankruptcy Code”. The revision to the form occurred in conjunction with implementation of a new Bankruptcy Noticing Center (BNC) program feature that eliminates the mailing of duplicate notices to joint debtors at the same address by sending a single copy of each notice in a jointly-addressed envelope.

Due to this revision, joint debtors will no longer receive separate copies of notices when debtor and joint debtor have the same address. To be exempted from this feature, one of the debtors must file a statement with the court requesting that each debtor receives a separate copy of all notices.

The new event, Debtor’s Request for Separate Notice should be used

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December 2008

During case opening, debtors seeking temporary exclusion from the means will continue to select a Yes or No designation for the Means Test. If it is a single debtor filing, the Means test should be No. If the case is filed jointly, and if there is a presumption of abuse for the joint debtor, then the setting should be Yes. The temporary exclusion will be designated by checking “The presumption is temporarily inapplicable.” on Form B22A and completing Parts 1C and VIII (signature page)

Official Form 22A is revised (December 19, 2008). A new section, Part 1C, has been added to the Statement of Current Monthly Income and Means Test Calculation, (Form B 22A) for National Guard or Reservists claiming exemption from the means test . Debtors must check the “The presumption is temporarily inapplicable” box and completely fill out Section 1C and sign the form (Section VIII).

The new event, Statement of Debtor’s Temporary Exclusion from Means Test can be used for a single or joint debtor filing. If the debtor(s) are on active duty or serving in a homeland defense capacity when the petition is filed, no deadline ending the exclusion is set. If they are no longer on active duty, a 540 day deadline will be calculated from the active duty release date. Each debtor in a joint case will have their own deadline. The debtor must submit a complete B22A form if the 540 day deadline expires during the life of the case.

Another new event, Release from Active Duty ,has been created for use when a debtor is released from active duty after the case has commenced. When the Release from Active Duty event is docketed a temporary exclusion deadline is for one or both debtors in a joint case. If the 540 day deadline expires during the life of the case, the debtor must submit a completed B22A.

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February 2008

February 19th, 2008. The Northern District of California has revised its procedure for docketing Claim Transfers.

The two current events, Assignment of Claim and Joint Transfer of Claim, will be eliminated and longer be available for selection. They will be combined into a single event, Transfer of Claim. Docketing instructions will be available on our web page under the ECF Link, Reference Desk, Limited Access/Creditor Filings User's Manual.

Please make every effort to use the standard form for all claim transfers,
B 210A Notice of Transfer of Claim Other Than for Security (10/06)

This form can be found at the US Courts website: http://www.uscourts.gov/rules/BK_Forms_06_Dir/Form_210_1006.pdf

2/19/08. In order to reduce the number of NEFs sent to everyone due to minor edits to a case, the editing functions which produce NEFs will be limited. As most changes are documented by editing the docket text, this will be the primary cause for a NEF to be sent.

The Notice of Voluntary Conversion 13 to 7 event has been modified to prevent conversions of any other case type. The case must be a chapter 13 to continue with the event, otherwise an error message will be received.

A new file attachment type, proposed order, has been added to the drop down list. This file attachment is to be used only when docketing motions that fall under the revised FRBP 4001. Attachments placed on the docket in this manner are for information only, all proposed orders must still be submitted through the E-Orders program or according to other division procedures. They will not be considered when attached to the docket with a motion.

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December 2007

Claims Activity Report. Claims Activity Report has been modified to include creditor's ID number. This number displays directly under the creditor's name.

PDF Footer. Changed CM/ECF functionality to place a single line of case information at the bottom of the PDF document when it is reviewed or printed from ECF. The PDF will be stamped with the case number, document number, file date, and page number. This is available to internal and external users.

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November 2007

Chapter 13 Discharge Events for post-BAPCPA cases. Please review the specific division procedures regarding items that must be submitted prior to the granting of a discharge in Chapter 13 cases (filed since 10/17/2005). Two new attorney events were created to assist with the process.

Debtor’s Statement re Pending Proceedings. New event created to reflect the changes in the local rules. San Jose Division will notice this document to all parties. This event is under the Bankruptcy -> Miscellaneous menu.

Debtor’s Certification in Support of Discharge. New event created to reflect the changes in the local rules. San Francisco, Santa Rosa, and Oakland Divisions will notice this document to all parties. This event is under the Bankruptcy -> Miscellaneous menu.

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October 2007

Motion to Waive Fee. Event has been modified to add a question regarding IFP. If the attorney answers yes, then it will display an error message and prevent the attorney from docketing this event.

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September 2007

Stipulation to Continue Hearing. Event has been modified to remove the hearing information screen for the San Jose Division. The event will remain the same for all other divisions.

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August 2007

no changes.

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July 2007

Returned E-Mail / Attorney Leaves a Firm policy - Consistent with our new policy of actions required when attorneys change firms, two events were modified

Substitution of Attorney -The event has been modified to prevent the party and attorney information from displaying twice. The new attorney prompt has been changed to display in red.

Notice of Appearance and Request for Notice - If the FIRM retains the cases they docket this event on each case. One PDF is acceptable for multiple docket events. The event has been modified to allow the attorney of record to be replaced with another attorney within the firm.

Notice of Change of Address - If the ATTORNEY is taking cases with them, they docket this event on each case. One PDF is acceptable for multiple docket events. No changes were made to this event

Failure to File Pre-Petition Tax Documents. A new process is adopted in the Northern District where the Case Trustee may request a Dismissal if the debtor fails to submit pre-petition required tax documents to the trustee.

Debtor's Failure to File Tax Documents. New event created under the Bankruptcy -> US Trustee/Trustee menu -> Debtor's Failure to File Tax Documents. This is a docket text only event. The trustees will enter this event when debtors failed to submit the tax documents. (Trustee only)

Order and Notice Regarding Failure to Submit Tax Returns. New event created under the Bankruptcy -> Orders/Opinions -> Other Orders menu -> Failure to Submit Tax Returns. Court users will docket this event and generate the OFT notice, after the trustee has entered the Debtor's Failure to File Tax Documents. (Court event only)

Request to Dismiss for Failure to Submit Tax Returns. New event created under the Bankruptcy -> US Trustee/Trustee menu -> Request to Dismiss for Failure to Submit Tax Returns. This is a docket text only event. The trustees will enter this event after the notice has been sent and the fifteen day deadline has passed.

Other Event modifications:

Appellee Designation. Event has been modified to add a text box

Stipulation to Allow Claims. Event has been modified to allow users to link to other documents

Request to Remove Email from Case In order to stop receiving emails from a main bankruptcy case in which you are no longer an active participant, you must file the event, Request to Remove Email from Case, on every adversary proceeding in which you are a participant. For complete information see our announcement.

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June 2007

Claims Register - The start date of this report has been changed to default to "01/01/1990."

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May 2007

Notice of Proposed Use, Sale or Lease of Property. Modified event to add a question regarding the property value. If it is over $2500.00, it will prevent the users from moving forward.

Judgment. Modified the display message of this event from "If The Judgment Denies Debtor Discharge Re: Sec 727, Docket 727 OBJ Flag to BK Case" to "If The Judgment Denies Debtor Discharge Re:Sec 727, Docket the Judgment Denying Debtor in the Bankruptcy Case."

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April 2007

Application for Renewal of Judgment. Created new event under the Motions category and will only be available under Adversary menu.

Application for Compensation. Program has been modified to require users to select a professional type.

Bill of Cost. Event has been modified to display the prompt, Amount Requested.

Change to B9E Notice (Chapter 13 Meeting of Creditors). Notice has been modified to add the statement, Must file before 180 days after the date relief was entered, in the governmental proof of claim field

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March 2007

Party Search. The search result message has been changed from "No person found" to "No match found" when searching the database for the appropriate party to add to the case

Notices of Electronic Filing (NEF). A bug was found where the document number on the subject line of NEF did not match with the actual document number. This is now fixed.

Motion to Convert to Chapter 7. The event has been modified to include the fee amount in the docket text

Chapter 7 Means Test. The prompt, "Enter Current Income of Individual Debtor(s):" has been changed to "Enter Current Monthly Income of Individual Debtor(s) from Line 12:"

Objection Codes. Created a new "obj" category. The purpose for creating this new category is to allow users to link and terminate the objections when the order regarding objection event is docketed. This new selection will be available when users are prompted to reference a document. Once the objection has been terminated, it will be transmitted to the AO for statistical reporting. The Objection to Transfer of Claim, Objection to Claim, Objection to Debtor's Claim of Exemption, Objection to Homestead Exemption, and Objection events have been modified to include this new type. All the above events will remain in their current menu (Applies to Objections filed after 3/19/07).

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February 2007

Pay.gov Changes

Beginning February 1, all users of Pay.gov will be required to enter the security code in order to complete the payment transaction.

Please see the CM User's Manual, Section 4 or the Credit Card Payment Instructions for more information.

Also, if a payment error occurs, the error message has been modified to provide greater clarity.

Claims filed with "0" in the amended claims field. Claims filed with a zero amended claim number will be treated as a new claim

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January 2007

Motions/Applications Category - Event Consolidation

The two events, Motion to Convert Case from Chapter 13 to Chapter 11 and the Motion to Convert Case from Chapter 7 to Chapter 11 were consolidated into one new event: Motion to Convert Case to Chapter 11

New Miscellaneous Event

A new event, Corporate Disclosure Statement, was added to the Miscellaneous menu.

2006 Archive

March

Modified Event: The option for attorneys to file a bankruptcy petition for clients who wish to apply for In Forma Pauperis has been added. When opening a new case using BK > Open BK case:
1. On the Case Data Screen, under Fee Status, select, IFP filing fee waived
2. The following message appears as a reminder for attorneys to file the Application for In Forma Pauperis
  You have selected the IFP fee status. No fee is required at this time.
  
  Please submit the application portion of the Official Form B3B, Application for Waiver of the Chapter 7 Filing Fee, using the In Forma Pauperis event under the Bankruptcy > Motions/Applications menu.

If you are using case upload, the Fee Status Code must be w if your client is applying for In Forma Pauperis.

May

CM/ECF version 3.0 Features

Case Opening

Voluntary Petition

Users are automatically alerted to complete missing information in required fields.
Type of Debtor is now a radio button while the type of business remains in the check box format.
Debtor and Joint Debtor are both allowable role types and are assigned automatically during case opening. Case upload role types remain unchanged.
A new association, Corporate Parent, may be entered with the debtor information. This is for internal use only and does not appear on the public docket.

Adversary Case Opening

A primary and secondary nature of suit may be designated.
The AP case opening information will appear in the main case.
Miscellaneous Proceedings will be an option for attorneys.
A new association, Corporate Parent, may be entered with the plaintiff or defendant information. This is for internal use only and does not appear on the public docket.

Involuntary Case Opening

An involuntary case opening automatically designates the case type as, “bk” (bankruptcy and for joint petition, “n" (No).
Involuntary Case Opening allows the addition of only one debtor but allows for multiple petitioning creditors.
Attorneys for the petitioning creditors, must check a box indicating this status.

Filing Claims

Uploading Batch Claims

For large creditors, new functionality has been added to upload a batch of claims using XML files. Please contact the court if you are interested in this feature.
When a creditor is added during the file claims process, the name and address data will be entered in a text box. The first line of text containing the creditor’s name may not exceed 50 characters. Subsequent lines are limited to 40 characters. The complete address added may be up to five lines.

Claims Register

New Features on the Claims Register

The following claims transfer information for past and current holders are tracked and accessible: transfer type, name and address of original claim holder, name and address of new claim holder, claim number and claim amount.
Amended claims no longer appear with their own unique number. These become a subset of the original claim.
The email notification of the filing (NEF) of the claim is linked to the claims register.
A new link for the Claims Register now appears on the Query Menu.

Docketing

Case Summary Information

Important case information now appears throughout the docketing of the event. This information includes:

Type: bk	Chapter: 13 v	Office: 3 (San Francisco)
Assets: y	Judge: TEC	Case Flag: DebtEd

Two-Part Motions

Connecting language has been added for two part motion docketing. Users must choose between:

“in addition to”
“or in the alternative”
Previously motions are arranged alphabetically in the docket text. Motions now appear in the order they are selected.

Entering Parties

To meet a USPS requirement that the full name of the country be provided on international mail, screens were updated to allow entry of 40 characters for a country.

Reports

Cases Report

The Cases Report will now display subtotals based on the primary, secondary, and tertiary sorts.

Docket Activity Report

This report allows selection of docket entries based on case number and category.

Written Opinions

This is a new report that displays published memoranda/decisions.

Notices of Electronic Filing (NEF)

Quality Control Messages

Emails are automatically generated each time the court corrects any information on the case. This is similar to the corrective entry. These changes are accessible by clicking on the silver bullet next to the corrected docket entry.
NEFs may be regenerated at anytime by clicking on the silver bullet in the docket report.

Payment Screens

Pay.Gov Enhancements

Users who will not immediately pay the filing fee(s) must select the Continue filing button rather than closing or minimizing the window. Similarly, users should neither close nor minimize any other window related to internet payments.

Paying Fees

The event under the Miscellaneous menu, Pay Installment Payment, has been modified to allow the attorney to change the default installment amount.

Case Upload

The Presumption of Abuse (Y, N or U) field must be included in the debtor.txt file.

June

Modified Event: The name of the event, BK> Miscellaneous > Exigent Circumstances was changed to BK > Miscellaneous-> Credit Counseling Waiver.
New Event: Under BK > Motions/Applications > Motion to Extend Time to File Credit Counseling Certificate
Version 3 correction: Under the Utilities menu, the Internet Payments History report was changed to include the name of the debtor. The name of the debtor was originally removed from this report during the version 3.0 conversion. This feature is now added into the report.
Creditor Upload: A patch was added to remove trailing and leading spaces from the creditor matrix. This is in effect when a using the BK > Creditor Maintenance > Upload Creditor Matrix event.

October

New Forms Requirements	Please see the court’s policy regarding the submission of the new forms.
CM/ECF Version 3.1 Upgrade	Version 3.1 contains a number of changes to CM/ECF events. Please see the updated event list for a complete list. With the release of CM/ECF version 3.1, the courts are concerned with capturing data regarding contested matters (or possible contested matters) and more detailed statistical data such as the total from the submitted schedules. A number of new events have been provided and several other events have been modified to provide that information.
Motions/Applications Category - New Events	When entering multiple part motions, you must use the control key to select each relief type. Do not rely on entering an additional relief type in the event text box. To capture requests for dismissal in greater detail, there are three new events in addition to the current Motion to Dismiss: Motion to Dismiss Case for Abuse Motion to Dismiss Case for Failure to File Documents under 521(i) Motion to Dismiss Case for Failure to Make Plan Payments Other new motion events which are available with verison 3.1 are: Motion to Extend Time to Appeal Under Rule 8002(c) Motion for Abstention Under Section 305 Motion for Conditional Use of Cash Collateral Motion for Continuation of Utility Service (previously Motion to to Increase Assurance Payment) Motion for Damages for Creditor Misconduct Motion for Intra-district Transfer (for case transfer to another CANB division) Motion for Relief from Co-debtor Stay (to be used in addition to Motion for Relief from Stay) Motion for Sale of Property (previously Motion to Sell) Motion Re: Chapter 11 First Day Motion Setting Property Value Motion to Appoint Examiner Motion to File Amended Proof of Claim Motion to File Claim After Claims Bar Date Motion to Obtain Credit (previously Motion to Borrow) Motion to Remove Professional Motion to Remove Trustee
Motions/Applications Category - Modified Events	Motion to Assume/Reject — modified to require the selection of a radio button describing the reason for the requested action. The docket text will automatically include the reason selected. The choices are: Assume Lease or Executory Contract Reject Lease or Executory Contract Motion for Reaffirmation — The approval request asks the filer to Enter the name of the creditor for this reaffirmation Agreement Motion for Sanction — was modified to require the selection of a radio button describing the reason for the requested sanction. The docket text will automatically include the reason for the selected sanction. The choices are: Sanctions for Violation of the Discharge Injunction Sanctions for Violation of the Automatic Stay Sanctions for Debtors Attorney Misconduct Sanctions of Counsels Liability for Excessive Cost Other Motion to Reconsider was modified to require the selection of a radio button describing the reason for the reconsideration. The choices are: Dismissal of the Case Other Motion to Extend/Limit Exclusivity Period — The event name was changed from Motion to Extend Exclusivity Period and requests the filer to: Select One: Extend or Limit Motions/Applications Category — Event Name Changes Motion for Turnover was changed to Motion for Turnover of Property Motion to Change Venue was changed to Motion to Change Venue/Inter-district Transfer Motion to Sell Free and Clear was changed to Motion to Sell Property Free and Clear Motion to Sell was changed to Motion for Sale of Property Motion to Borrow was changed to Motion to Obtain Credit Motion to Increase Assurance Payment was changed to Motion for Continuation of Utility Services Miscellaneous Category — New Events Nondischargeable Debt Bankruptcy Requests the following information: Enter Total Nondischargeable Debt: Objection to Professional Fees Reaffirmation Agreement (pro se) The request asks the filer to Enter the name of the creditor for this reaffirmation Agreement. Miscellaneous Category - Modified Events All the Schedule Events have been modified to capture the totals that now appear on the new schedule forms: Schedule A, Schedule B, Schedule D, Schedule E, Schedule F, Schedule I, Schedule J, Schedules A- J, Schedules A - H. Amended Schedules (A, B, C, H, I and J - No Fee Required) and Amended Schedules (D, E, and F - Fee Required). These events are also modified to capture the appropriate schedule totals based on schedules designated for as amended. Please enter the new TOTAL for each schedule. Summary of Schedules has been modified to show the current totals for all submitted schedules, Current Monthly Income, Total nondischargeable debt and the computer Total Dischargeable Debt. Only change the total for the schedule you are updating. If the totals are correct, then no change is required. Intent to Cure Default now requests the filer to: Enter Amount of Rent to be Deposited. Plan Category - New Events: These events all include the language: Select the appropriate event(s) to which your event relates: (pick the previously docketed plan) Amended Chapter 11 Small Business Plan Amended Chapter 12 Plan • Amended Chapter 9 Plan Modified Plan (To be used post-confirmation) Plan Category - Modified Events: Amended Chapter 13 Plan has been modified to include the language: Select the appropriate event(s) to which your event relates: (pick the previously docketed plan). Notice Catetory - New Events Notice of Proposed Use, Sale or Lease of Property Bankruptcy. Docket text reads: Notice of Proposed Use, Sale or Lease of Property Outside of the Normal Course of Business. Notice Category - Event Name Changes Notice of Abandonment has been changed to Notice of Abandonment of Property Notice Category - Events Removed from the Menu Notice of Intent Notice of Compromise of Controversy
Auditor’s Reports Category - New Events	In conjunction with the Office of the United States Trustee, a new audit program will commence on October 20. Several new events were created on the Trustee and Auditor’s Report menus (for auditors only). A case selected for audit will proceed in the normal manner and the discharge will be granted unless an action is taken by the United States Trustee’s office. Select for Audit (Trustee’s Menu) Amended Auditor's Report (Auditor’s only) Auditor's Report (Auditor’s only) Supplemental Auditor's Report (Auditor’s only)

November/December

New event added for Limited Access Users	Order Upload (from the Bankruptcy menu) — This feature is designed for creditors to submit proposed orders pertaining to reaffirmation agreements only.
Adversary Opening - Event Modification	The prompts were modified. The first question "Is the plaintiff trustee?" was changed to "Is the plaintiff the Chapter 7 or 13 trustee." The second question, "Is the plaintiff the debtor or child support creditor?" was changed to "Is the plaintiff a Chapter 7 or 13 case debtor or child support creditor."
File Claims - Event Modification	Case information (e.g., case status, case number and case names) will now appear during the docketing of new claims.

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