Announcement Archive


Effective January 1, 2023, the Northern District of California
adopted a new Chapter 13 Plan


CM/ECF Temporarily Unavailable on Saturday, November 7, 2020

Access to CM/ECF will be temporarily unavailable on Saturday, November 7, 2020, from 5:00 AM to 9:00 AM for system maintenance.

Federal Holiday - Veterans Day

All divisions of the Bankruptcy Court will be closed on Wednesday, November 11th, in observance of Veterans Day.

NEW Fourth Amended General Order 38, Matters Pending in the Northern District of California

In re: Coronavirus Disease Public Health Emergency

This order extends the closure of the bankruptcy courts in San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Rosa, Salinas, Oakland, and McKinleyville to the general public through March 1, 2021.

Federal Holiday - Thanksgiving (November 26 and 27)

All divisions of the Bankruptcy Court will be CLOSED in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Changes to Bankruptcy Practice in Light of COVID-19, Part 2

Friday, December 11, 2020, from Noon to 1 PM.

Presented by the Bench-Bar Liaison Committee and Office of the U.S. Trustee. See the flyer for more information.



Attachment: PDF icon COVIDpart2.pdf

Federal Holiday - Christmas Day

All divisions of the Bankruptcy Court will be closed on Friday, December 25th, in observance of Christmas Day.

Amendments to the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, effective December 1, 2020

 

Amendments to Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure 2002, 2004, 8012, 8013, 8015, and 8021.  Clean and redline versions of these Rule changes are available from the US Courts website

Federal Holiday - New Year's Day

All divisions of the Bankruptcy Court will be closed on Friday, January 1st, in observance of New Year's Day.

Recruitment to the Bench-Bar Liaison Committee – Special Vacancy Notice

Due to several unexpected vacancies on the Bench-Bar Liaison Committee (the “Committee”), a mid-year recruitment for members is underway.

The Committee is seeking members of the bar to serve a special six month, plus three-year term on the Committee. There are currently three (3) vacancies on the Committee and service will commence on January 15, 2021. The regular three-year term begins on July 1, 2021.

Prospective Committee Members should review the requirements and selection criteria of General Order No. 15. Trustee’s and employees of the U.S. Trustee are eligible to apply. Applicants must commit to participate in six to eight Committee meetings each year during their membership term and to otherwise actively further the Committee’s mission. To apply for a position on the Committee, please send a letter of interest along with a current resume or curriculum vitae to the Committee Co-Chairs, Wayne Silver (ws@waynesilverlaw.com) and Jen Lee (jen@jenleelaw.com) by January 4, 2021.


 

CM/ECF Temporarily Unavailable on Saturday, January 9, 2021

Access to CM/ECF will be temporarily unavailable on Saturday, January 9, 2021, from 5:00 AM to 9:00 AM due to system maintenance.

Information for Chapter 11 Cases Filed under the Small Business Reform Act (SBRA) of 2019

Link: Information for Chapter 11 Cases filed under the Small Business Reform Act

Federal Holiday - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

All divisions of the Bankruptcy Court will be closed on Monday, January 18th, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Virtual Luncheon with the Judges and the Bench-Bar Liaison Commitee

The Bankruptcy Judges of the Northern District of California and the Bench-Bar Liaison Committee are hosting a virtual luncheon on January 29, 2021 from 12 PM-1:30 PM. The event takes place on Zoom and offers an opportunity for questions and answers. 

To register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wxWUlr_0TmSYsuw-x4TdsQ

If you have a question for the Judges, please fill out the form: https://jenleelaw.wufoo.com/forms/questions-for-judges/

Questions must be submitted by January 22, 2021 for review and planning of the webinar.

Changes to the Miscellaneous Fee Schedule, Effective December 1, 2020

The Judicial Conference of the United States approved adjustments to the miscellaneous fee schedule for bankruptcy courts.



Attachment: PDF icon MiscFeeScheduleEff12.2020.pdf

Federal Holiday - Presidents' Day

All divisions of the Bankruptcy Court will be closed on Monday, February 15th, in observance of Presidents' Day.

CM/ECF Temporarily Unavailable on Friday, February 12th to Tuesday, February 16th

CM/ECF system will be temporarily unavailable from Friday, February 12th at 5:00 PM to Tuesday, February 16th at 8:00 AM due to NextGen software upgrade.

Update to the Electronic Case Filing (ECF) Procedures, effective February 1, 2021

In particular:  Notice of Electronic Filing and Service, Current and Active Registered Participant E-Mail Address



Attachment: PDF icon ECFProceduresRedlineCompareMarch162020toFebruary12021.pdf

Link: Electronic Case Filing Procedures (Effective 2/1/2021).

Important Change to ECF Sealed Document Procedures Due to CM/ECF System Breach

            The Administrative Office of the United States Courts has provided notice of a national breach of the CM/ECF system and has called upon courts to implement new security procedures to protect Highly Sensitive Documents.  Given the limited number and nature of documents that are filed under seal by the bankruptcy court, the court construes this request to apply to all motions to seal documents filed in this court.  The bankruptcy court is working to update its motion to seal protocols, and is awaiting further guidance and direction from the Administrative Office of the Courts on this matter.

            In the interim, the bankruptcy court is revising its “Electronically Filing Sealed and Redacted Documents” guideline (the “Guideline”) as follows:

            Step 2 under the “CM/ECF Filing Sequence For Sealed Documents” is stricken, and the moving party shall not electronically file the document(s) at issue. Instead, the moving party shall contact and inform chambers that it is filing a motion to seal a document.  After notifying chambers, the moving party shall place the document(s) in question into an envelope that identifies on its cover the bankruptcy case/adversary proceeding caption and states in bold, upper case language that it contains “PROPOSED DOCUMENT(S) TO BE FILED UNDER SEAL.” The moving party shall securely seal the envelope and cause the envelope to be delivered and deposited into the court’s drop-box located in the San Francisco or San Jose courthouse.  The court shall physically secure the document(s) in question. 

            Paragraph 4 of the Guideline shall now read as follows:

            A.  If Motion is Granted: The proposed document(s) Filed Under Seal will remain sealed and become part of the record, but will not be electronically filed. The Clerk will annotate the original docket entry as follows: PROPOSED SEALED DOCUMENT(S) APPROVED-REFER TO DOCKET ENTRY #_. 

            B. If Motion is Denied: The proposed document will remain in the secure possession of the court and will not be placed on the electronic docket. The Clerk will annotate the original docket entry as follows: PROPOSED SEALED DOCUMENTS DENIED-REFER TO DOCKET ENTRY #_.

CM/ECF Temporarily Unavailable on Saturday, March 13, 2021

Access to CM/ECF will be temporarily unavailable on Saturday, March 13, 2021, from 5:00 AM to 7:00 AM due to system maintenance.

PG&E Corporation and Pacific Gas and Electric Company

For information on these cases, including how to submit a claim, go to:



Link: PG&E Corporation and Pacific Gas and Electric Company

NEW Sixth Amended General Order 38, Matters Pending in the Northern District of California

In re: Coronavirus Disease Public Health Emergency

This order extends the closure of the bankruptcy courts in San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Rosa, Salinas, Oakland, and McKinleyville to the general public until further notice.

Federal Holiday - Memorial Day

All divisions of the Bankruptcy Court will be closed on Monday, May 31st, in observance of Memorial Day.

Federal Holiday - Juneteenth

All divisions of the Bankruptcy Court will be closed on Friday, June 18, in observance of Juneteenth

Federal Holiday - Independence Day

All divisions of the Bankruptcy Court will be closed on Monday, July 5th, in observance of Independence Day.

Save the Date - 2021 Bay Area Bankruptcy Judges' Conference, October 1, 2021

Attachment: PDF icon Save the Date 2021 Bay Area Judges' Conference

Seventh Amended General Order 38, Matters Pending in the Northern District of California

In re: Coronavirus Disease Public Health Emergency

This order announces effective June 28, 2021, the Intake Counter at Clerk’s office locations in San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland will re-open to the public with limited hours of operation.

Federal Holiday - Labor Day

All divisions of the Bankruptcy Court will be closed on Monday, September 6th, in observance of Labor Day.

Postponement of 2021 Bay Area Bankruptcy Judges' Conference

Please note that the NDCA Bankruptcy Judicial Conference scheduled for 10/1/21 at the Presidio (and rescheduled from 2020) is postponed. To have the in-person connections that this conference brings, a new date will be determined and announced for 2022.

Federal Holiday - Columbus Day

All divisions of the Bankruptcy Court will be closed on Monday, October 11th, in observance of Columbus Day.

CM/ECF Temporary Unavailability and NextGen CM/ECF 1.6.2 Information

The California Northern Bankruptcy Court will be upgrading our Case Management and Electronic Case Filing system to version 1.6.2 and will be temporarily unavailable from Saturday, October 16 at 5:00 AM to Sunday, October 17 at 11:00 PM.

Our CM/ECF filing system will be fully upgraded to NextGen v 1.6.2 on Monday, October 18, 2021.  Please visit our website and review NextGen 1.6 PDF Information regarding what enhancements should be omitted from submission to our filing system.

San Jose Division CLOSED on October 27, 2021

Due to the local utility company conducting underground water repairs at the U.S. Courthouse in San Jose, that location will be closed on Wednesday, October 27, 2021.  If you must conduct business with the San Jose location, please call:  (888) 821-7606 for assistance.

Federal Holiday - Veterans Day

All divisions of the Bankruptcy Court will be closed on Thursday, November 11th, in observance of Veterans Day.

Federal Holiday - Thanksgiving

All divisions of the Bankruptcy Court will be closed on November 25th and 26th, in observance of Thanksgiving.

CM/ECF Temporarily Unavailable on Sunday, December 26, 2021

Access to CM/ECF will be temporarily unavailable on Sunday, December 26, 2021, from 5:00 AM to 12:00 PM due to system maintenance.

Judicial Council of California Adopts Emergency Rules

On April 6, 2020, the Judicial Council of California adopted Emergency Rules intended to address issues relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.  These Emergency Rules took effect on April 6, 2020 and some of them pertain to unlawful detainer actions and judicial foreclosure actions.  The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California has posted the Emergency Rules here for informational purposes only.  All parties and counsel should understand that the Judicial Council’s Emergency Rules neither govern nor restrict the power of Bankruptcy Judges to decide matters based upon the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and Rules, nor do they provide a doctrinal basis to enlarge a Bankruptcy Judge’s powers to decide matters before them.



Attachment: PDF icon CA Rules of Court (Emergency Rules Adopted and Eff. Apr. 6, 2020)

ONLINE PAYMENTS using Pay.gov

IMPORTANT:  Do not use to pay Chapter 13 plan payments to the trustee or Chapter 11 quarterly fees to the trustee.

You can pay filing fees and make installment payments for Chapter 7, 11, and 13 cases. You can also pay other fees such as searches, copies, exemplifications, and certifications.

Please call the Clerk's Office at (888) 821-7606, in advance, to verify the fee amount.

Use the following link: https://pay.gov/public/form/start/1130342985

Federal Holiday - New Years Day

All divisions of the Bankruptcy Court will be closed on Friday, December 31st, in observance of New Years Day.

Judge Blumenstiel's Notice of Unavailability

Please be advised that the Honorable Hannah L. Blumenstiel will not be available on Thursday, December 23, 2021 through and including Friday, January 7, 2022.



Attachment: PDF icon Blumenstiel Notice of Unavailability (23 December 2021 - 7 January 2022).pdf

NEW Eighth Amended General Order 38, Matters Pending in the Northern District of California

 

In re: Coronavirus Disease Public Health Emergency

Federal Holiday - Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday

All divisions of the Bankruptcy Court will be closed on Monday, January 17th, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday.

United States Trustee Program has Updated UST Form 11-MORs and UST Form 11-PCRs

On June 21, 2021, the United States Trustee Program’s rule entitled Uniform Periodic Reports in Cases Filed Under Chapter 11 of Title 11, published at 28 C.F.R. § 58.8 (the “Final Rule”) became effective. The Final Rule requires that chapter 11 debtors-in-possession and trustees, other than in small business and subchapter V cases, file monthly operating reports and post-confirmation reports using streamlined, data-embedded, uniform forms in every judicial district where the U.S. Trustee Program operates.

The United States Trustee Program has posted on its website updated versions of the UST Form 11-MOR, Monthly Operating Reports (“MOR”) and UST Form 11-PCR, Post-confirmation Reports (“PCR”), that should be used for all reports filed after that date. Designed to improve the overall user experience, the updates will streamline the process of embedding data on the forms by using standard PDF bar-code technology. The updates do not impact the information required to be reported on the MORs and PCRs.

To obtain important information related to periodic reporting under the Final Rule, please visit https://www.justice.gov/ust/chapter-11-operating-reports. While at that webpage, please subscribe to the “Chapter 11 Operating Reports E-mail Updates” feature to automatically receive future email updates about the forms and periodic reporting under the Final Rule.

Changes to Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and Official Bankruptcy Form 122B

Effective December 1, 2021:

Bankruptcy Rules 2005, 3007, 7007.1, and 9036 have been amended. For rule changes click the following link: https://www.uscourts.gov/rules-policies/current-rules-practice-procedure

In addition, Official Form 122B has been updated. For the form change, click the following link: https://www.uscourts.gov/rules-policies/pending-rules-and-forms-amendments/pending-changes-bankruptcy-forms

Judge Hammond will Reinstitute In-person/In-Courtroom Hearings

Beginning March 1, 2022 (postponed from January 18, 2022), all matters before Judge Hammond will be conducted in person, in the courtroom, unless otherwise ordered by the court.  Counsel and interested parties may appear at the hearing either in person or by Zoom.  Judge Hammond’s Practices and Procedures for In-Person Hearings are available at https://www.canb.uscourts.gov/procedure/hammond/judge-hammond%E2%80%99s-...

Amendment to Bankruptcy Local Rule 1017-2

Effective December 22, 2021, the court has amended B.L.R. 1017-2 to conform to In re Nichols, 10 F.4th 956 (9th Cir. Sept. 1, 2021).

1017-2. Voluntary Dismissal of Chapter 13 Cases.

 

A debtor who wishes to dismiss a pending chapter 13 case that has not previously been converted shall file a “Notice of Voluntary Dismissal Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 1307(b)”.  This Notice shall be executed by the debtor(s) under penalty of perjury and shall attest that the case to be dismissed has not previously been converted under 11 U.S.C. §§ 706, 1112, or 1208.  At the same time that the debtor files this Notice, they shall submit an Order of Dismissal.

Federal Holiday - Presidents' Day

All divisions of the Bankruptcy Court will be closed on Monday, February 21st, in observance of Presidents' Day.

CM/ECF Temporarily Unavailable on Saturday, February 26th, 2022

Access to CM/ECF will be temporarily unavailable on Saturday, February 26th, 2022, from 5:00 AM to 10:00 AM due to system maintenance.

CM/ECF Temporarily Unavailable on Saturday, March 5, 2022

Access to CM/ECF will be temporarily unavailable on Saturday, March 5, 2022, from 5:30 AM to 10:00 AM due to system maintenance.

UPDATED Procedures for Filing Redacted or Sealed Confidential or Highly Sensitive Documents

The District has revised the procedure, effective February 7, 2022. A redline version provided is provided below.


Attachment: PDF icon Procedures for Filing Redacted or Sealed Confidential or Highly Sensitive Documents (REDLINE VERSION).pdf

Amended Bankruptcy Local Rule 1001-2(a) as it pertains to Amended Civil Local Rule 79-4

For Publication on March 18, 2022

 

Effective November 1, 2021, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California amended its Civil Local Rules (“Civil L.R.”).  In light of these amendments, the Bankruptcy Court has amended Bankruptcy Local Rule (B.L.R.) 1001-2(a) as it pertains to Civil L.R. 79-4.  The changes incorporated into amended B.L.R. 1001-2(a) are highlighted in red below:

 

1001-2. Applicability of Civil Local Rules.

 

(a) Incorporation of Civil Local Rules. Except as hereinafter set forth or otherwise ordered by the Court, the following Civil Local Rules shall apply in all bankruptcy cases and adversary proceedings:

 

 

  • 79-4 Custody and Disposition of Exhibits and Transcripts (except that, unless ordered by the court, exhibits admitted into evidence under seal and portions of the record ordered sealed are not available for public inspection)

Amended B.L.R. 1001-2(a) has been published and takes effect immediately.  Should you have any questions, you may contact the court by calling 888-821-7606 or by using the Live Chat feature on the court’s website.

NEW Second Amended General Order 37, Abrogation of Amended General Order 37

 

This order rescinds Amended Interim Bankruptcy Rule 1020, and the use of amended Official Forms 101, 122A-1, 122B-1, 122C-1, and 201 in this Court.

Judge Blumenstiel's Notice of Unavailability

Please be advised that the Honorable Hannah L. Blumenstiel will not be available on Friday, May 20, 2022 through and including Monday, May 30, 2022.



Attachment: PDF icon HLB Notice of Unavailability (20 May - 30 May 2022).pdf

Federal Holiday - Memorial Day

All divisions of the Bankruptcy Court will be closed on Monday, May 30th, in observance of Memorial Day.

Judge Lafferty will Reinstitute In-person/In-Courtroom Hearings

Beginning April 1, 2022, all matters before Judge Lafferty will be conducted in person, in the courtroom, unless otherwise ordered by the court. Eureka/McKinleyville matters will, until further notice, be conducted via Zoom Webinar. Counsel and interested parties may appear at the hearing either in person or by AT&T Teleconference. Beginning May 25, 2022, counsel and interested parties may appear at the hearing in person or by Zoom Webinar. Prior court approval is not required for Zoom or AT&T appearances. The Zoom or AT&T information will be included in each calendar posted weekly, as applicable. Judge Lafferty’s Practices and Procedures for In-Person Hearings are available at https://www.canb.uscourts.gov/procedure/lafferty/judge-lafferty%E2%80%99s-practices-and-procedures-person-hearings

PACER Services and CM/ECF Connections Temporarily Intermittent on Sunday, June 12

PACER users and Next Generation (NextGen) Case Management/Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) e-filers may experience intermittent authentication issues when logging on, and intermittent connection issues when making payments through Pay.gov on Sunday, June 12 from 3:55 AM to 4:00 PM due to PACER system maintenance.

Federal Holiday - Juneteenth

All divisions of the Bankruptcy Court will be closed on Monday, June 20th, in observance of Juneteenth.

Recruitment to the Bench-Bar Liaison Committee

Deadline to Apply: June 24, 2022

The Bench-Bar Liaison Committee (the “Committee”) is seeking members of the bar to serve a three-year term on the Committee. There are currently four (4) vacancies on the Committee and service will commence on July 1, 2022.

Prospective Committee Members should review the requirements and selection criteria of General Order No. 15. Trustee’s and employees of the U.S. Trustee are eligible to apply. Applications must commit to participate in six to eight Committee meetings each year during their membership term and to otherwise actively further the Committee’s mission. To apply for a position on the Committee, please send a letter of interest along with a current resume or curriculum vitae to the Committee Co-Chairs, Cheryl C. Rouse rblaw@ix.netcom.com and Michael A. Sweet msweet@foxrothschild.com by June 24, 2022.

CM/ECF Temporarily Unavailable on Saturday, June 25, 2022

Access to CM/ECF will be temporarily unavailable on Saturday, June 25, 2022, from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM due to system maintenance.

Federal Holiday - Independence Day

All divisions of the Bankruptcy Court will be closed on Monday, July 4th, in observance of Independence Day.

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