General Order Clarifies Telephonic Hearings and Signature Requirements

Release Date: 
Tue, 03/24/2020

The Court has entered a general order adopting interim procedures to clarify the need for a physical signature under Local Bankruptcy Rule 5005-1(d)(2). General Order 2020-3 allows ECF filers to use digital software and other alternatives to demonstrate a signor's consent to a document prior to its electronic filing.

The General Order further clarifies that all scheduled non-evidentiary hearings will be heard telephonically, except as specifically directed by the individual judge.  For evidentiary hearings and trial dates scheduled to occur before June 1, 2020, chambers will determine whether each matter should be continued or conducted in court, telephonically or by video as practicable and will contact parties accordingly.

The U.S. Trustee previously announced the continuation of certain 341 meetings. Practitioners may be aware that other jurisdictions have entered general orders extending case deadlines calculated in relation to the first date set for the meeting of creditors. The Court is working with the United States Trustee to reschedule the 341 meetings that were continued, and the Judges have decided to not extend deadlines automatically at this time, including but not limited to deadlines for filing objections to discharge and dischargeability.  Parties seeking the continuance of a case deadline related to the timing of the 341 meeting should bring an appropriate motion before the Court.

 

Information for Telephonic Appearances, Per General Order 2020-3
(March 24, 2020)

Guidelines When Appearing by Phone:
Use a land line phone and not a cell phone, if possible.
Do not use a speaker phone.
Make the call from a quiet area where background noise is minimal.
Wait until the judge calls your case before speaking.
Do not put the phone on hold at any time after the call is connected.
In the event you are unable to connect to the conference call after following the above procedures, please contact chambers.

Conference Call Information for Each Chambers:

Judge Christopher Alston
Dial: 1-888-363-4749
Enter Access Code: 8955076#
Press the # sign
Enter Security Code when prompted: 3564#
Speak your name when prompted

Judge Marc Barreca
Dial: 1-888-363-4749
Enter Access Code: 9365479#
Press the # sign
Enter Security Code when prompted: 8574#
Speak your name when prompted

Judge Timothy Dore
Dial: 1-888-363-4749
Enter Access Code: 2762430#
Press the # sign
Enter Security Code when prompted: 5334#
Speak your name when prompted

Judge Mary Jo Heston
Dial: 1-888-363-4749
Enter Access Code: 5635947#
Press the # sign
Enter Security Code when prompted: 3887#
Speak your name when prompted

Judge Brian Lynch
Dial: 1-888-363-4749
Access code: 5974828#‬
‪To join the call: Press # sign again‬
‪Security code: 8109#‬
‪Name: Speak your name when prompted‬