Announcement Archive
Effective January 1, 2023, the Northern District of California |
Form Confirmation Orders for Subchapter V (SBRA) Plans (March 5, 2025)
In order to promote efficiency and consistency in practice across our district, the court has promulgated the below confirmation orders (hyperlinks) for use in cases under Subchapter V of Chapter 11. Each of the orders deals with a different confirmation scenario:
(1) Individual Debtor/Consensual Confirmation;
(2) Individual Debtor/Non-Consensual Confirmation;
(3) Corporate Debtor/Consensual Confirmation; and
(4) Corporate Debtor/Non-Consensual Confirmation.
There are two major points of distinction between the orders: (i) whether confirmation is consensual (11 U.S.C. § 1191(a)) or non-consensual (11 U.S.C. § 1191(b)); and (ii) discharge, the timing and scope of which depend upon whether the reorganized debtor is an individual or a corporate entity and whether plan confirmation is consensual or non-consensual.
Please understand that these orders are a starting point. As early as practicable in any given case, we encourage you to address with your presiding judge what changes they – or you – might wish to make to these orders when the time comes. We also encourage brevity and simplicity.
As always, we thank you for your hard work and professionalism.
CM/ECF Temporarily Unavailable on Saturday, March 29, 2025
Access to CM/ECF will be temporarily unavailable on Saturday, March 29th from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM due to system maintenance.
Procedures for Noticing and Conducting Hearings in San Francisco Division (Effective February 11, 2025)
Brown Bag Lunch with Judges Montali and Blumenstiel
Brown Bag Lunch with Judges Montali and Blumenstiel 2025 Bench-Bar Liaison Committee Information
Holiday - President's Day
The Court will be closed on Monday, February 17, 2025, in observance of President's Day.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: CM/ECF Temporarily Unavailable on Saturday, February 15, at 7:00 AM to Sunday, February 16, at 6:00 PM
The California Northern Bankruptcy Court will upgrade our Case Management and Electronic Case Filing system to version 1.8.1. The system will be temporarily unavailable from Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 7:00 AM to Sunday, February 16, 2025, at 6:00 PM.
Holiday - Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday
The Court will be closed on Monday, January 20, 2025, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION - Electronic Filing Scam Targets Attorneys
Notice of Unavailability for the Honorable Hannah L. Blumenstiel
Notice of Unavailability for the Honorable Hannah L. Blumenstiel Holiday - New Year's Day
The Court will be closed on Wednesday, January 1, 2025 in observance of New Year's Day.
Holiday - Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
The Court will be closed on Tuesday, December 24, and Wednesday, December 25, 2024.
Open Mic Discussion and Luncheon with the Honorable William J. Lafferty in McKinleyville, California
Attachment:
12-5-24 McKinleyville Open Mic Discussion and Luncheon Announcement.pdf Bench-Bar Liaison Committee Recruitment
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 three (3) vacancies on the Committee and service will commence on January 2, 2025.
Prospective Committee Members should review the requirements and selection criteria of General Order 15. Chapter 7 Panel Trustees and employees of the U.S. Trustee are eligible to apply. Applications must commit to participate in quarterly Committee meetings each year during their three-year 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, Dara L. Silveira (dsilveira@kbkllp.com) and Jonathan N. Vaknin (jonathan@vakninlaw.com), by December 2, 2024.
Holiday - Thanksgiving Day and the Day After
The Court will be closed on Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29th, 2024 in observance of Thanksgiving.
Invitation for Public Comment on the Reappointment of U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Elaine Hammond
Invitation for Public Comment on the Reappointment of Judge Hammond Holiday - Veterans Day
The Court will be closed on Monday, November 11, 2024 in observance of Veterans Day.
Notice of Unavailability for the Honorable Hannah L. Blumenstiel
Please be advised that the Honorable Hannah L. Blumenstiel will not be available on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 through and including Thursday, October 31, 2024.
Attachment:
HLB Notice of Unavailability (23 Oct 2024 - 31 Oct 2024).pdf Judge Blumenstiel's New Practices and Procedures (Effective August 27, 2024)
Holiday - Columbus Day
The Court will be closed on Monday, October 14, 2024 in observance of Columbus Day.
New Subchapter V Chapter 11 Plan and Instructions
The new Subchapter V Chapter 11 Plan and Instructions are now available on the District's SBRA Procedures page. Use of the new Form Plan is strongly encouraged.
CM/ECF Temporarily Unavailable on Saturday, September 21, 2024
CM/ECF will be temporarily unavailable on Saturday, September 21st from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM due to system maintenance.
Fifth Amended General Order 37
Holiday - Labor Day
The Court will be closed on Monday, September 2, 2024 in observance of Labor Day.
For cases commenced after June 21, 2024, Reduced Debt Limits for Cases Filed Under Subchapter V of Chapter 11 and Chapter 13
In 2022, the Bankruptcy Threshold Adjustment and Technical Corrections Act temporarily reinstated increased debt limits to qualify as a debtor in a case filed under Subchapter V of Chapter 11, and under Chapter 13. These debt limit increases expired on June 21, 2024.
Effective for cases filed on or after June 22, 2024, the Subchapter V debt limit is reduced from $7,500,000 to $3,024,725.
The Chapter 13 eligibility threshold of $2,750,000 for both secured and unsecured debt will again be divided into separate limitations for unsecured and secured debts. Effective for cases filed on or after June 22, 2024, the maximum unsecured debt is an amount less than $465,275. The maximum secured debt is an amount less than $1,395,875.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: CM/ECF Temporarily Unavailable on Saturday, August 24 at 8:00 AM to Sunday, August 25 at 6:00 PM
The California Northern Bankruptcy Court will upgrade our Case Management and Electronic Case Filing system to version 1.7.2. The system will be temporarily unavailable from Saturday, August 24, 2024, at 8:00 AM to Sunday, August 25, 2024, at 6:00 PM.
U.S. Trustee Program is implementing virtual § 341 Meetings of Creditors
The U.S. Trustee Program is implementing virtual § 341 meetings of creditors in chapter 7, 12, and 13 cases in the Northern District of California for meetings being held on or after June 3, 2024. For more information, including joining a meeting and what documents to provide to the trustee prior to the meeting, visit: https://www.justice.gov/ust/moc.
Holiday - Independence Day
The Court will be closed on Thursday, July 4, 2024 in observance of Independence Day.
Holiday - Juneteenth
The Court will be closed on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 in observance of Juneteenth.
Chapter 13 Plan, NEW Version 4
Effective immediately, use of VERSION 4 of the Chapter 13 Plan dated January 1, 2023, is mandatory for all Chapter 13 cases filed on or after January 1, 2023. The updated Version 4 enhances the following functionality of the form fields:
- - Corrected the dollar amount, ensuring that input after the decimal point is accurately displayed
- - Enhanced dynamic rows, allowing users to now remove rows in addition to adding them.
- - Expanded the number of digits allowed in a field from 6 to 9 digits.
- - Adjusted the size of form fields to ensure proper text display.
- - Improved and simplified internal programming for enhanced efficiency.
Holiday - Memorial Day
The Court will be closed on Monday, May 27, 2024 in observance of Memorial Day.
CM/ECF Temporarily Unavailable on Saturday, April 20, 2024
Access to CM/ECF will be temporarily unavailable on Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 8:00 AM to 11:30 PM due to system maintenance.
Change to Bankruptcy Local Rule 5002-2
The court has revised B.L.R. 5005-2 and its Electronic Case Filing Procedures (the “ECF Procedures”), paragraph 7, to allow for the electronic filing of pleadings and other documents bearing the electronic signatures of third parties, i.e., CM/ECF Registered Participants who signed, but did not file, the given document and/or the electronic signatures of third parties, such as debtors or corporate representatives who are not Registered Participants and did not file the given document.
New B.L.R. 5005-2 is largely consistent with Third Amended General Order 39 (March 29, 2021), which was abrogated by General Order 44 (July 25, 2023). A redline version comparing prior B.L.R. 5005-2 to the new B.L.R. 5005-2 is below.
Attachment:
BLR 5005-2 December12023RedlineVersion Holiday - President's Day
The Court will be closed on Monday, February 19, 2024, in observance of President's Day.
New Chapter 13 Attorney Fees and Applications
The new Chapter 13 attorney fees and related forms applying to cases filed on or after November 1, 2023, are available here.
Invitation for Public Comment on the Reappointment of U.S. Bankruptcy Judge William J. Lafferty III
Public Comment Notice - Judge Lafferty UPDATED Information - Fifth Annual Bay Area Bankruptcy Judges Conference
Attachment:
UPDATED 2024 Bay Area Bankruptcy Judges Conference Holiday - Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday
The Court will be closed on Monday, January 15, 2024, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday.
Changes to the Miscellaneous Fee Schedule
The Judicial Conference of the United States approved adjustments to the miscellaneous fee schedule for bankruptcy courts.
Attachment:
2023 Fee Schedule UPDATED Policy and Procedure for Appearances by Tele/Videoconference (AT&T / Zoom)
Judge Blumenstiel's Notice of Unavailability
Please be advised that the Honorable Hannah L. Blumenstiel will not be available on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 through and including Saturday, January 6, 2024.
Attachment:
HLB Notice of Unavailability (26 Dec 2023 - 6 Jan 2024).pdf Federal Holiday - Christmas Day
All divisions of the Bankruptcy Court will be closed on Monday, December 25th, in observance of Christmas Day.
Federal Holiday - New Years Day
All divisions of the Bankruptcy Court will be closed on Monday, January 1st, in observance of New Years Day.
Notice to Salinas Bankruptcy Bar Community
Notice to Salinas Bankruptcy Bar Community Save-the-Date! Fifth Annual Bay Area Bankruptcy Judges' Conference
Attachment:
Save the Date 2024 Bay Area Bankruptcy Judges Conf Bench-Bar Liaison Committee Recruitment
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 January 2, 2024.
Prospective Committee Members should review the requirements and selection criteria of General Order 15. Chapter 7 Panel Trustees and employees of the U.S. Trustee are eligible to apply. Applications must commit to participate in quarterly Committee meetings each year during their three-year 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, Kimberly Fineman (kfineman@fhlawllp.com) and Jeannie Kim (jekim@sheppardmullin.com) by December 6, 2023.
Holiday - Thanksgiving and the Day After
The Bankruptcy Court will be closed on Thursday, November 23, and Friday, November 24, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Holiday - Veterans Day
The Court will be closed on Friday, November 10, 2023, in observance of Veterans Day.
Federal Holiday - Columbus Day
All divisions of the Bankruptcy Court will be closed on Monday, October 9th, in observance of Columbus Day.
Judge Lafferty’s Procedures for Noticing and Conducting Hearings (Effective September 1, 2023)
San Francisco Division Procedures for Noticing and Conducting Hearings
Attachment:
SF Division Hearing Procedures (eff: 9.1.2023) General Order 44 and Explanatory Statement
In re:
Court Operations Following the end of COVID-19 Emergency; and Abrogation of General Orders 38, 39, 40 (Second and Third Amended); 41 (Eff 12/1/2023); 43
Attachment:
General Order 44, Explanatory Statement re General Order 44 Federal Holiday - Labor Day
All divisions of the Bankruptcy Court will be closed on Monday, September 4th, in observance of Labor Day.
Judicial Feedback Survey for Judge Hannah L. Blumenstiel
Judge Hannah L. Blumenstiel of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California asked the Federal Judicial Center (FJC) to survey attorneys and trustees to obtain feedback about her judicial performance. The FJC is the research and education agency for the federal courts. The judge's decision to ask the FJC to conduct this survey is entirely voluntary and reflects Judge Blumenstiel's ongoing commitment to provide the highest level of public service possible.
During the week of July 17th, the FJC will send an email to each attorney or trustee who has had a case assigned to Judge Blumenstiel since January 1, 2019. The email will explain how to access and complete an online questionnaire.
The survey procedure is set up so responses are anonymous. Research staff at the FJC will compile the survey responses and provide Judge Blumenstiel a report, including the comments that are provided in response to the open-ended questions and tables or figures aggregating the responses to the closed-ended questions. The survey results and report are exclusively for Judge Blumenstiel's use in improving her performance.
If you do not receive a survey link from the FJC and want to participate, please contact Jessica Snowden of the FJC at 202-502-4049 or at jsnowden@fjc.gov.
If you have questions about the survey or encounter any technical difficulties, please also contact Jessica Snowden.
Attachment:
Judicial Feedback Survey for Judge Hannah L. Blumenstiel Guidelines for Adversary Proceedings under 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(8) in which the United States is a Defendant
Effective April 24, 2023, the court has adopted Guidelines for Adversary Proceedings under 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(8) in which the United States is a Defendant. These Guidelines are intended to accommodate guidance recently promulgated by the United States Department of Justice in cooperation with the United States Department of Education. See below pdf.
Going forward, the court will expect litigants in adversary proceedings under § 523(a)(8) to comply with these Guidelines.
Attachment:
Guidelines for 523(a)(8) Proceedings US is a Defendant Solicitation for Transcription Services
The Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California (the Court) is soliciting vendors to include on an approved list of qualified transcription services providers that will be publicly posted on the Court’s website. Vendors interested in received a solicitation packet detailing the Court’s requirements should send an email request to the Procurement Administrator, Suzanne McBride, at: suzanne_mcbride@canb.uscourts.gov.
All proposals must be received via email no later than Friday, July 28 2023 at 5:00pm PDT.
Federal Holiday - Independence Day
All divisions of the Bankruptcy Court will be closed on Tuesday, July 4th, in observance of Independence Day.
Judge Blumenstiel’s New Practices and Procedures (effective April 24, 2023)
Federal Holiday - Juneteenth
All divisions of the Bankruptcy Court will be closed on Monday, June 19th, in observance of Juneteenth.
FREE Webinar: DOJ Guidance on Discharging Federal Student Loans in Bankruptcy Cases
On June 8, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PT, the Boston Bar Association will present a FREE webinar explaining the U.S. DOJ’s New Guidance on Discharging Federal Student Loans in Bankruptcy Cases. Panelists include: Hon. Hannah L. Blumenstiel (Bankr. N.D. Cal.); John Rao (National Consumer Law Center); and William Austin Hinkle (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau). Among many other things, the panelists will discuss the Guidelines and related forms recently promulgated by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California concerning the Guidance. You do not need to be admitted to the Massachusetts bar and do not need to be a member of the Boston Bar Association to join the webinar. No CLE credit can or will be provided for this program. Please see the below program announcement for more information and a link to online registration.
Attachment:
BBA Student Loan Guidance Program