Source: http://www.canb.uscourts.gov/procedures/local-rules/view_ui_view
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 02:21:04+00:00

Document:
PDF versions of the complete Bankruptcy Local Rules and a redline of the revised rules are available below.
1001-1. Scope of Rules; Short Title; Construction.
The Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (throughout these Bankruptcy Local Rules referred to as "Bankruptcy Rule(s)") and Official Bankruptcy Forms promulgated under 28 U.S.C. § 2075, together with these Bankruptcy Local Rules govern practice and procedure in all bankruptcy cases and adversary proceedings in this District. These rules supersede all previous Bankruptcy Local Rules for the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.
(b) Relationship to District Court Rules.
These Bankruptcy Local Rules are promulgated with other Local Rules of the District and should be cited as "B.L.R. _-_."
(c) Relationship to Bankruptcy Rules.
These rules are divided into nine parts to be consistent in format with the Bankruptcy Rules. These rules supplement the Bankruptcy Rules and they shall be construed so as to be consistent with the rules and to promote the just, efficient and economical determination of every bankruptcy case and proceeding. Where there is a substantive relationship between a Bankruptcy Local Rule and a particular Bankruptcy Rule a corresponding rule number is utilized and a reference to the Bankruptcy Rule is included at the end of the Bankruptcy Local Rule.
(d) Relationship to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Whenever a Federal Rule of Civil Procedure is incorporated, it shall be incorporated as modified by the Bankruptcy Rules.
These rules take effect on December 1, 2009, and shall apply to all cases and adversary proceedings pending on that date except to the extent the Court determines that such application would materially prejudice the rights of a party (in which event the prior version of these rules shall continue to apply).
Civil Local Rules incorporated herein shall be the rules in effect on the effective date of these rules and as thereafter amended, unless otherwise provided by such amendment or by these rules or by such amendment.
1001-2. Applicability of Civil Local Rules.
(a) Incorporation of Civil Local Rules.
• 11-4 (a)&(b) Standards of Professional Conduct.
1001-3. Designation of Bankruptcy Divisions.
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California consists of the divisions shown in subparagraphs (a)-(d). The regular hours of the Offices of the Clerk are from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day except Saturdays, Sundays, and Court holidays.
Division 1 shall consist of the counties of Del Norte, Mendocino, Humboldt, Napa, Sonoma and Lake. The division office is located at the United States Courthouse, 99 South “E” Street, Santa Rosa, California 95404.
Division 3 shall consist of the counties of San Francisco, Marin and San Mateo. The division office is located at 450 Golden Gate Avenue, 18th Floor, San Francisco, California 94102.
Division 4 shall consist of the counties of Alameda and Contra Costa. The division office is located at 1300 Clay Street, Room 300, Oakland, California 94612.
Division 5 shall consist of the counties of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito. The division office is located at the United States Courthouse, 280 South First Street, Room 3035, San Jose, California 95113.
1002-1. Filing of Petition and Other Pleadings.
All petitions, other than those filed by ECF, shall initially be filed with the Clerk of the Bankruptcy Court in the division of proper intradistrict venue as determined consistent with the venue rules of 28 U.S.C. § § 1408 and 1410.
Except as provided in B.L.R. 1002-1(d), in bankruptcy cases not withdrawn to the District Court, all papers other than those filed by ECF shall be filed with the Clerk in the division where the case is pending.
(c) Change of Intradistrict Venue.
If the petitioner believes that venue should be in a division other than the division of proper intradistrict venue as determined in accordance with subparagraph (a), the petitioner may file an ex parte application for transfer of the case to another division. The Clerk shall promptly present the application to any available Judge of the division where the petition is filed.
In the event of a bona fide emergency a petition, other than one filed by ECF, may be presented for filing in a division other than the division of proper intradistrict venue as determined in accordance with subparagraph (a). The Clerk shall accept the petition and any other pleadings presented with the petition on behalf of the proper division, shall obtain the proper division's case number, shall place that number on the petition and other pleadings and shall promptly transmit the petition and other pleadings to the proper division.
All claims or causes of action removed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1452, other than those removed by ECF filing, shall be removed to the division where the removed claims or causes of action are pending.
(a) Initial Documents and Other Papers.
Except for ECF filings and as provided in subparagraphs (b) and (c) of this rule, petitions, statements, schedules , and lists and all other pleadings and papers shall be filed in the original only, without copies.
Parties desiring conformed copies of petitions, schedules, lists and other pleadings and papers, other than those filed by ECF, should provide copies to the Clerk.
Parties must provide chambers copies of petitions, schedules, lists and other pleadings and papers, including those filed by ECF, in accordance with the posted chambers copies requirements of the assigned judge.
1005-1. Caption and Title of Papers Filed.
(c) The date, time, and location of the hearing or trial, where applicable.
1007-1. Use of Practice Forms.
The Court may approve and require the use of pre-printed practice forms. The Court may also approve practice forms which are not pre-printed but the format of which is required to be followed. Practice forms may be adopted on a district-wide or division-wide basis. Required forms will be available in the Clerk's office, on the Court's website (http://www.canb.uscourts.gov) and, with respect to Chapter 13 practice, in the office of the Chapter 13 Trustee or on the Chapter 13 Trustee's website. Any other provisions of this Rule notwithstanding, the Court has adopted, and refers counsel to, General Order 34, effective as of December 1, 2017, which identifies and attaches the form of Chapter 13 plan that must be used in this district, in accordance with the requirements of Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 3015.1.
1017-1. Conversion from Chapter 7 to 13.
(a) Unless moving for conversion to chapter 13 in response to a motion to dismiss filed by the U.S. Trustee under 11 U.S.C. § 707(b), a debtor who wishes to convert to chapter 13 a pending chapter 7 case that has not previously been converted shall serve a motion to convert on the chapter 7 trustee , the U.S. Trustee, and all parties in interest.
(b) When serving a motion to convert to chapter 13, the debtor should utilize the "Notice and Opportunity For Hearing" procedures of B.L.R. 9014-1(b)(3). For purposes of motions made under this rule, the 21 day notice provision of B.L.R. 9014-1(b)(3)(A)(i)(time to object and request a hearing) shall be 14 days. If an objection is filed or served, the 14 day notice provisions of B.L.R. 9014-1(b)(3)(A)(iv) (time for initiating party to give notice of a hearing) shall be 7 days; the notice of hearing should be served on the objecting party, the chapter 7 trustee and the U.S. Trustee. If no party in interest has filed an objection within 14 days following service of the motion to convert, the debtor may file a declaration of no response and upload or lodge an order granting the motion.
(d) The above-mentioned time periods are subject to modification in accordance with the applicable rules. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to preclude requests for relief of any nature by or against any party in interest during the period between the filing of a motion to convert and the court's disposition thereof.
(a) Consent of Debtor .
The filing of a petition under Title 11 by a debtor engaged in business is deemed to be the debtor's consent to mail redirection by the interim trustee and the trustee.
If the debtor does not consent to mail redirection, the debtor shall file a written objection with the Clerk. Upon the filing of the debtor's objection, the Court shall promptly set a hearing on notice to the debtor, trustee and United States Trustee . After the filing of the objection, and pending order of Court, the redirection shall continue, but the trustee shall hold, and not open, the debtor's mail.
The Clerk may issue on behalf of the Court, ex parte and without notice, orders granting applications for examination of an entity pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 2004(a).
Any dispute or request for relief with respect to any such orders shall be treated as a discovery dispute in accordance with B.L.R. 1001-2(a) which incorporates Civ.L.R. 37-1.
The signature card (or if there is none, the depository agreement) for any account containing funds which are the property of a bankruptcy estate must clearly indicate that the depositor or investor is a "debtor -in-possession" or a trustee in bankruptcy. This rule does not apply to accounts maintained by Chapter 13 debtors.
(b) Compliance with 11 U.S.C. § 345.
There shall be a rebuttable presumption that funds which are deposited with an entity which is included on the United States Trustee 's most recent list of "cooperating depositories" have been deposited in accordance with 11 U.S.C. § 345(b).
(c) Investment of Bankruptcy Estate Assets In U.S. Treasury Instruments.
Unless otherwise directed by the court, the trustee or debtor in possession may give notice of a proposed investment of bankruptcy estate assets in a Designated Fund to the United States trustee, all creditors, indenture trustees, and committees elected pursuant to § 705 or appointed pursuant to § 1102 of the Code, and shall file such notice with the court, together with a copy of the Designated Fund's prospectus. A party in interest may file and serve an objection within 14 days of the mailing of the notice, or within the time fixed by the court. If a timely objection is made, the court shall set a hearing on notice to the United States trustee and to other entities as the court may direct. If no objection is made, the trustee or debtor in possession may proceed with the investment.
For purposes of this rule, a "Designated Fund" is an open-end management investment company that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, regulated as a "money market fund" pursuant to Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, invests exclusively in United States Treasury bills and United States Treasury Notes owned directly or through repurchase agreements, has received the highest money market fund rating from a nationally recognized statistical rating organization, such as Standard & Poor's or Moody's, has agreed to redeem funds shares in cash, with payment being made no later than the business day following a redemption request by a shareholder (except in the event of an unscheduled closing of Federal Reserve Banks or the New York Stock Exchange), and has adopted a policy that it will notify its shareholder 60 days prior to any change in its policy to invest exclusively in Treasury securities as described above or to redeem fund shares in cash no later than the business day following a redemption request by the shareholder (with limited exceptions for unscheduled closings of Federal Reserve Banks or the New York Stock Exchange).
2015-3. Debtor's Books and Records.
In a case filed pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 301 or § 302, the books and records of the debtor shall be closed on the day immediately preceding the day on which the petition is filed, whether or not a separate estate is created for tax purposes. Pre-petition liabilities shall be segregated and reported separately from post-petition liabilities.
In a case filed pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 303, the books and records of the debtor shall be closed on the day on which relief is ordered or an interim trustee is appointed, whichever occurs first. Notwithstanding the foregoing, liabilities incurred before the commencement of the case shall be segregated and, in the event relief is granted, reported separately from liabilities incurred after the commencement of the case.
3003-1. Filing Proof of Claim or Interest in Chapter 11 Cases.
Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, and except as provided in Bankruptcy Rule 3003(c)(3), proofs of claim or interest shall be filed pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 3003 and shall be filed within 90 days after the first date set for the meeting of creditors called pursuant to 11 § 341(a), unless the claimant is a government unit, in which case a proof of claim or interest shall be filed before 180 days after the date of the order for relief or such later time as the Bankruptcy Rules may provide.
(a) Copy of Claim .
Unless the Court orders otherwise, on an objection to claim, a copy of the claim, absent any attachments or exhibits, shall be included.
Where a factual dispute is involved, the initial hearing on an objection shall be deemed a status conference at which the Court will not receive evidence. Where the objection involves only a matter of law, the matter may be argued at the initial hearing. Any notice of hearing on a claim objection shall so state.
(c) Time and Manner of Service.
B.L.R. 9014-1(b) and (c) shall apply to Objections to Claims made under this rule, except that the notice provision of B.L.R. 9014-1(b)(3)(A) (time to object and request a hearing), the notice provision of B.L.R. 9014-1(c)(1) and the notice provision of B.L.R. 9014-1(c)(2) (notice of scheduled hearing date) shall each be 30 days. Service of the objection shall be in accordance with Bankruptcy Rule 3007(a)(2).
3015-1. Chapter 12 and 13 Plans.
(1) Hearing on Plan and Objections Thereto. Unless otherwise ordered, notice of the hearing on confirmation of the plan shall be served not less than 35 days prior to the hearing. Objections to confirmation of the plan shall be filed and served on the debtor , the United States Trustee , the Chapter 12 trustee , and on any other entity designated by the Court, not less than 7 days before the hearing.
(2) Confirmation of Plan. The order of confirmation shall be similar to the Official Form for confirmation of plans in Chapter 11 cases, with appropriate changes made for Chapter 12.
(1) Notice by Clerk of the Court. At least 28 days before the first date set for the 11 U.S.C. § 341 meeting of creditors, copies of the Chapter 13 plan shall be served by the Clerk of the Court on all creditors with the notice of commencement of the case. The Clerk shall certify to the Court that service has been made in accordance with this rule and pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 2002(b). If the plan is not filed in time for the Clerk to serve it with the notice, the debtor shall serve the plan and provide certification as specified above.
(2) Notice by the Debtor. Prior to confirmation the debtor shall serve all amended plans, together with at least 21 days notice of the date and time of the hearing on confirmation of the amended plan, on the trustee and all adversely affected creditors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, when plans are amended in response to trustee objections, and no creditors are adversely affected, the trustee may schedule confirmation of such amended plan on the next available confirmation calendar without further notice to creditors.
(3) Objections. At or before the 11 U.S.C. § 341 meeting of creditors, a creditor objecting to confirmation shall file with the Court and serve upon the debtor, the debtor's counsel, and the trustee a written objection to confirmation stating the basis for the objection. Objections to amended plans shall be filed and served within 14 days of service of the amended plan. Objections to confirmation need not be considered by the Court unless service has been made in accordance with this rule. Once timely filed, an objection to a plan will be considered an objection to all subsequent versions and amendments until the objection is withdrawn or the objecting party fails to appear at a hearing on confirmation.
(4) Late Objections. Notwithstanding the previous paragraph, late objections will be considered if the objection is raised before the plan is confirmed and the objecting party shows that it acted diligently.
3017-1. Chapter 11 Disclosure Statement Hearing.
(a) The plan proponent may calendar and notice the disclosure statement hearing without necessity of a Court order, notwithstanding Official Form No. 12. Notice of the hearing shall be served on the debtor , creditors, equity security holders , United States Trustee , Securities and Exchange Commission, and other parties in interest not less than 35 days prior to the hearing. The notice shall contain the information required by Official Form No. 12 and, unless the Court orders otherwise, shall state that the deadline for the filing of objections is 7 days prior to the hearing. The proposed plan and proposed disclosure statement shall be served, with the notice, only on the United States Trustee and the persons mentioned in the second sentence of Bankruptcy Rule 3017(a). A certificate of service of the foregoing documents must be filed at least 7 days prior to the hearing.
(b) At least 3 days prior to the hearing (and any continued hearing), the plan proponent shall advise the Judge's chambers by telephone whether the proponent intends to go forward with the hearing.
(c) The plan proponent may establish that the disclosure statement meets the applicable requirements of 11 U.S.C. § § 1125(a) and (b) by offer of proof, declaration or, if the Court so permits or requires, live testimony. In all cases, a competent witness must be present. Briefs are not required.
(d) At the conclusion of the disclosure statement hearing, the plan proponent shall be prepared to advise the Court of the amount of Court time the confirmation hearing will require. If a contested confirmation hearing is anticipated, the Court will entertain requests that scheduling procedures be established concerning the filing of briefs, exchange and marking of exhibits, disclosure of witnesses, and discovery.
(e) In the event the plan proponent receives an objection to the disclosure statement, the proponent must make a good faith effort to confer with the objecting party to discuss the disclosure statement and to resolve the objection on a consensual basis.
(f) A plan proponent desiring a continuance of the hearing on a disclosure statement shall appear at the scheduled hearing to request a continuance.
(g) Upon approval of the disclosure statement, the plan proponent shall submit to the Court a proposed Order Approving Disclosure Statement and Fixing Time conforming to Official Form No. 13.
3020-1. Chapter 11 Confirmation Hearing.
(a) All ballots and a ballot tabulation showing the percentages of acceptances and rejections for each impaired class, in number and dollar amount, must be filed at least 3 days prior to the confirmation hearing. The tabulation should also identify any unimpaired class(es) and state the reason that such class is unimpaired under 11 U.S.C. § 1124. A copy of the ballot tabulation should be served on the United States Trustee and counsel for the Official Creditors' Committee, or if no such committee has been appointed, the creditors included on the list filed pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 1007(d), and any parties objecting to confirmation.
(b) A certificate of service of the plan, disclosure statement and Order Approving Disclosure Statement (unless 11 U.S.C. § 1125(f) applies), and official ballot, must be filed at least 3 days prior to the confirmation hearing.
(c) At least 3 days prior to the hearing and any continued hearing, the plan proponent shall advise the Judge’s chambers by telephone whether the proponent intends to go forward with the hearing.
(d) If the plan has been accepted by the requisite majorities and no objection to confirmation has been filed, the plan proponent may establish that the plan meets the applicable requirements of Chapter 11 by offer of proof, declaration or, if the Court so permits or requires, live testimony. In all cases, a competent witness must be present to testify, inter alia, as to the status of any post-petition trade debt, taxes or other obligations, the feasibility of the plan, and the Chapter 7 equivalency requirements. Memoranda in support of confirmation are not required but may be filed at least 3 days prior to the confirmation hearing, with copies served on the United States Trustee, counsel for the Official Creditors’ Committee, or if no such committee has been appointed, the creditors included on the list filed pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 1007(b), and any parties objecting to confirmation.
(e) The plan proponent and any party objecting to confirmation shall meet and confer prior to the confirmation hearing regarding disputed issues and the conduct of the confirmation hearing.
(f) A plan proponent desiring a continuance of the confirmation hearing shall appear at the scheduled hearing to request a continuance.
(a) At the confirmation hearing, the proponent of the plan shall advise the Court when all post-confirmation Court proceedings can be completed. The Court may set deadlines for filing reports and an application for a final decree.
(b) Unless the Court orders otherwise, an application for final decree shall be served on the United States Trustee and on counsel for the Creditors' Committee, or, if there is no Committee, on the 20 largest unsecured creditors. Such application shall be considered by the Court without a hearing, unless within 14 days after the date of service of the notice, a party in interest files and serves a request for hearing.
4001-1. Motions For Relief From Stay.
(a) Procedure and Supporting Documents.
A motion for relief from stay, or for order confirming that no stay is in effect, shall be so titled and shall be accompanied by the declaration of an individual competent to testify which sets forth the factual basis for the motion. The motion shall describe the relief sought and shall advise the respondent to appear personally or by counsel at the preliminary hearing.
Every motion for relief from stay, or order confirming that no stay is in effect, shall be filed with a completed Relief From Stay Cover Sheet. Relief From Stay Cover Sheets shall be available in the Office of the Clerk and on the Bankruptcy Court's website.
Unless otherwise ordered, motions shall be set for preliminary hearing not less than 14 days after service. Motions shall be served the same day they are filed or sent for filing.
The Clerk shall make available a list of available hearing dates. It is the responsibility of the moving party to select a hearing date which satisfies the notice requirements of this rule.
Unless otherwise ordered, no oral testimony will be received by the Court at any hearing on a motion for relief from stay, or for order confirming that no stay is in effect.
A respondent will not be required to, but may, file responsive pleadings, points and authorities, and declarations for any preliminary hearing.
(g) Inclusion of an Account Statement.
d. the date each post-petition payment was posted to the subject account, if different from the date received.
If, for any reason, the timing or amount of the last payment which fell due pre-petition is different from any payments which have accrued post-petition, the moving party must briefly state the reason for the change and whether the debtor was given written notice of the changed amount.
As to defaults in post-petition payments to a Chapter 13 trustee , a printout from the Chapter 13 trustee's on-line information system itemizing post-petition payments will suffice.
(2) If the motion for relief from the automatic stay is based upon a failure to make pre-petition payments, then the requirements for an account statement referenced in paragraph (g)(1)(a) through (d) shall extend to all pre-petition obligations that have accrued and are unpaid.
(3) If a moving party fails to comply with paragraphs (g)(1) or (2) of this rule, the Court may, in its discretion, impose such monetary or nonmonetary remedies as it deems appropriate.
4002-1. Designation of Responsible Individual.
(a) Every debtor or debtor-in-possession which is not an individual shall file with the Court an application and proposed order appointing a natural person to be responsible for the duties and obligations of the debtor or debtor-in-possession. The order shall identify such person by name and include the person's address, telephone number, and position within the organization. If the duties are to be divided among two or more individuals, the responsibilities of each shall be specified. The application and order shall be filed with the petition, or promptly thereafter.
(b) If any natural person designated under subparagraph (a) of this rule ceases to perform the designated duties of the debtor or debtor-in-possession, either because such person has ceased to be affiliated with the debtor or debtor-in-possession or for any other reason, the debtor or debtor-in-possession shall promptly file a statement to that effect, accompanied by either (i) an application and proposed order appointing a successor natural person to perform such duties, or (ii) a statement that there is no natural person willing and able to serve in that capacity. Any notice or application filed under this subparagraph (b) shall be served on any trustee appointed in the case, on counsel for (or if there is no counsel, the members of) any committee appointed in the case, on the United States Trustee , and on any party who has requested notice pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 2002(i). Upon the filing of a notice or application under this subparagraph, the Court may, on the request of any party or on its own motion, take such action as it deems appropriate in the circumstances. Neither this subparagraph nor the filing of any application or notice under this subparagraph shall have any effect on the duties, obligations or responsibilities of the person previously designated under subparagraph (a) of this rule unless the Court orders otherwise.
4004-1. Delayed Discharges of Individuals in Chapter 11, 12 and 13 Cases.
(a) All chapter 11 , chapter 12 or chapter 13 debtors who have claimed exemptions in excess of the adjusted amount set forth in 11 U.S.C. § 522(q)(1) must file a statement pursuant to Rule 1007(b)(8), not earlier than the date of the last payment under the plan or the date of filing a motion for a discharge under 11 U.S.C. § § 1141(d)(5)(B), 1228(b), or 1328(b).
(C) has received a discharge in a chapter 7 , 11, 12 bankruptcy case filed within four years prior to filing the present Chapter 13 case, or in a Chapter 13 case filed within two years prior to filing the present Chapter 13 case.
(2) All chapter 12 debtors must file the certification required in subparagraph (b)(1)(B).
(3) If a chapter 12 or chapter 13 debtor has been required to pay a domestic support obligation as that term is defined in 11 U.S.C. § 101(14A), the debtor shall file a certification of domestic support obligation payees, setting forth the names and last known addresses of those payees. That certification shall be served by the debtor on the case trustee and all of the named domestic support obligation payees.
(c) A debtor required to file the statement required by Subparagraph (a) may combine it with the certification required by subparagraph (b)(1) or (2).
(d)(1) The Clerk shall serve the statements and certifications required in subparagraphs (a) and (b)(1) and (2) by mail on all parties in interest.
(2) Any party requesting a delay in the entry of the discharge must file a written response no later than 21 days from the date of service of the debtor's statement and certification and the response must be served by mail on the chapter 11 Trustee, if any, the chapter 12 Trustee or the chapter 13 Standing Trustee, the debtor and the debtor's attorney at the addresses noted on the debtor's statement and certification.
(3) If the delay request is timely filed, the debtor must schedule a hearing on the request and advise the chapter 11 Trustee, if any, the chapter 12 Trustee or the chapter 13 Standing Trustee, and the party requesting the delay, of the date and time of the hearing. The hearing must be held not more than 10 days before the date of the entry of the discharge order.
(4) If either no delay request is filed or if the delay request is not timely filed, the Court may enter a discharge order in the case, but not earlier than 30 days after the filing of the statement.
(e) Debtors shall make the statements and certifications required by this rule on forms approved by court in accordance with B.L.R. 1007-1. Those forms shall be available on the court's website and at the offices and on the websites of the district's chapter 13 Standing Trustees.
5005-1. Electronic Case Filing (ECF).
(a) Establishment of Electronic Case Filing Procedures.
The Clerk is hereby authorized to establish and promulgate Electronic Case Filing Procedures (the "ECF Procedures"), including the procedure for registration of ECF participants ( "Registered Participants") and for distribution of passwords to permit electronic filing by Registered Participants and notice of pleadings and other papers. The Clerk may modify the ECF Procedures from time to time, after conferring with the Chief Bankruptcy Judge and such others judges as he or she shall designate. The ECF Procedures shall be made available to the public in paper form in the clerk's office of each division and by posting on the Court's web site.
(b) Electronic Filing of Documents.
The electronic transmission of a document to the Court in a manner consistent with the ECF Procedures, together with the Court's return transmission of a "Notification of Electronic Filing," shall constitute the filing of the document and its entry on the Court's docket for purposes of Bankruptcy Rule 5003. Electronically filed documents must comply with these Bankruptcy Local Rules with respect to form and length.
(c) Mandatory Requirement for Attorneys to File Electronically Via ECF.
Unless exempted by the Clerk, all attorneys practicing in the Court, including attorneys admitted pro hac vice, are required to file all documents (excluding documents to be placed under seal) electronically via ECF.
The official file in all divisions shall be the electronic file. All documents filed in paper form will be scanned into ECF and will only be accessible electronically.
(a) A document electronically filed with the Court shall bear the typed name of the person purporting to have signed the document and shall be deemed to be signed by the person (“Signatory”) when the document identifies the person as a Signatory and the filing complies with either subsection (b), (c), or (d). Any filing in accordance with any of these methods shall bind the Signatory as if the document were physically signed and filed, and shall function as the Signatory’s signature whether for purposes of Rule 9011 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, to attest to the truthfulness of an affidavit or declaration, or for any other purpose.
(b) In the case of a Signatory who is a Registered Participant, such document shall be deemed signed, regardless of the existence of a physical signature on the document, provided that such document is filed using the user ID and password of the Signatory.
(c) In the case of a Signatory who is a Registered Participant but whose user ID and password are not utilized in the electronic filing of the document, as in the case of documents requiring multiple signatures, the filing of the document constitutes the filer's attestation that concurrence in the filing of the document has been obtained from each of the signing Registered Participants, which shall serve in lieu of their signatures on the document. The filer shall maintain records to support this concurrence for subsequent production for the Court, if so ordered, or for inspection upon request by a party, until five years after the case or adversary proceeding in which the document was filed is closed.
(d) In the case of a Signatory who is not a Registered Participant, as in the case of documents requiring multiple signatures or documents signed by a third party such as a debtor , the filing of the document constitutes the filer’s attestation that the filer has possession of (i) an original ink signature, (ii) a copy of the original ink signature that has been electronically scanned, or (iii) a copy of the original ink signature transmitted by facsimile. The filer shall maintain records to support this attestation for subsequent production to the Court, if so ordered, or for inspection upon request by a party, until five years after the case or adversary proceeding in which the document was filed is closed.
(e) The provisions of subsection (d) of this Rule notwithstanding, in appropriate circumstances the Court may require that filers collect and retain original ink signatures of parties who are not Registered Participants.
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 157(a), all cases under Title 11 and all civil proceedings arising under Title 11 or arising in or related to a case under Title 11 are referred to the Bankruptcy Judges of this District, except as provided in B.L.R. 5011-1(b).
(b) Pending District Court Proceedings.
Any civil proceeding arising in or related to a case under Title 11 that is pending in the District Court on the date the Title 11 case is filed shall be referred to a Bankruptcy Judge only upon order of the District Judge before whom the proceeding is pending. Such an order may be entered upon the motion of a party, the District Judge's own motion, or upon the recommendation of a Bankruptcy Judge.
Nothing in this rule shall modify any automatic stay imposed by 11 U.S.C. § § 362(a), 922, 1201(a), or 1301(a).
5011-2. Motions for Withdrawal of Reference.
A motion to withdraw a case or proceeding under 28 U.S.C. § 157(d) shall be filed with the Clerk of the Bankruptcy Court. The Clerk of the Bankruptcy Court shall transmit the motion forthwith to the District Court, with a copy forwarded to the assigned Bankruptcy Judge .
(b) Recommendation of Bankruptcy Judge.
A Bankruptcy Judge may, on the Judge's own motion, upon the filing of a motion under subparagraph (a) of this rule, recommend to the District Court whether the case or proceeding should be withdrawn under 28 U.S.C. § 157(d). Such a recommendation shall be served on the parties to the case or proceeding and forwarded to the Clerk of the District Court.
(c) Assignment of Motion to Judge; Notification to Parties; Filing of Papers.
A motion or recommendation made under this rule for withdrawal of the bankruptcy reference shall be assigned by the Clerk of the District Court to a District Judge pursuant to the District Court's Assignment Plan . The Clerk of the District Court shall promptly notify the parties of the name of the assigned District Judge and the District Court case number assigned to the motion, and thereafter any papers filed with respect to the motion or recommendation for withdrawal of the reference (other than a request for stay of proceedings in the Bankruptcy Court) shall be filed with the Clerk of the District Court and shall bear both the District Court civil case number (which shall be stated first) and the Bankruptcy Court case or adversary proceeding number.
Unless the assigned District Judge orders otherwise: within 14 days after receiving notice of the assignment to a District Judge under subsection (c) of this rule, any party objecting to withdrawal of the reference shall file in the District Court its opposition brief of not more than ten pages; 14 days thereafter, any party supporting withdrawal of the reference may file a reply brief of not more than ten pages; no hearing will be held unless the assigned District Judge orders otherwise.
A withdrawn case or proceeding shall be assigned to the District Judge who ordered the withdrawal of reference.
6004-1. Motions to Sell Free and Clear of Liens and Other Interests.
A motion to sell free and clear of liens under 11 U.S.C. § 363(f) shall identify by name, immediately below the caption, the lienholders and other interest holders whose property rights are affected by the motion. The affected lienholders and other interest holders shall be served with a complete set of moving papers pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 7004(b).
The motion shall be supported by the declaration of an individual competent to testify which sets forth the factual basis demonstrating that the moving party comes within 11 U.S.C. § 363(f)(1)-(5). The motion shall identify which subsection of 11 U.S.C. § 363(f) the moving party comes within.
(c) Motions to Sell Property.
A motion to sell the subject property may be combined with a motion to sell free and clear of liens. Notice of a motion to sell property shall be given to those specified in Bankruptcy Rule 2002(a).
The order granting a motion to sell free and clear of liens shall specify each lienholder whose interest is to be affected by the order.
6006-1. Motions for Relief Relating to Executory Contracts and Leases.
Unless the Court orders otherwise, any motion for relief under 11 U.S.C. § 365 shall be on notice to: (1) the other contracting parties and to those entities entitled to receive notice under the terms of the contract or lease; (2) the non-insider creditors that hold the 20 largest unsecured claims or to the creditors committee, if one has been appointed; and (3) any party who has requested notice pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 2002.
Notwithstanding subparagraph (a), a Chapter 7 Trustee may move to reject an unexpired lease of nonresidential real property where the debtor is the tenant on 24 hours notice given only to the other party to the lease, and such motions will normally be considered by the Court without a hearing.
Every complaint initiating an adversary proceeding and every notice of removal pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 9027 shall be accompanied by a completed Adversary Proceeding Cover Sheet in a form prescribed by the Clerk. Adversary Proceeding Cover Sheets shall be available in the Office of the Bankruptcy Clerk and on the Court's website at www.canb.uscourts.gov.
7007-1. Motions In Adversary Proceeding.
Except as otherwise ordered, and except for motions made during the course of trial, all motions shall be filed and served at least 28 days before the hearing date.
Any opposition to a motion shall be filed and served at least 14 days before the hearing date.
(c) Statement of No Opposition.
If the party against which the motion is directed does not oppose the motion, that party shall file a Statement of No Opposition within the time for filing and serving any opposition.
Together with an opposition, a party responding to a motion may file a counter-motion related to the subject matter of the original motion. Such counter-motion shall be noticed for hearing on the same date as the original motion.
Any reply to an opposition, or opposition to a counter-motion, shall be filed and served by the moving party at least 7 days before the hearing.
B.L.R.s 9013-1, 9013-2 and 9013-3 shall apply to motions filed in adversary proceedings.
In an adversary proceeding pending before a Bankruptcy Court, the complaint, counterclaim, cross-claim , or third-party complaint shall contain a statement that the pleader does or does not consent to entry of a final order or judgment by the Bankruptcy Court.
In an adversary proceeding pending before a Bankruptcy Court, a responsive pleading shall contain a statement that the pleader does or does not consent to entry of a final order or judgment by the Bankruptcy Court.
Except as otherwise ordered, that portion of FRCivP 16(b) that fixes a deadline for entry of a scheduling order shall not apply in any adversary proceeding .
In an adversary proceeding pending before a Bankruptcy Court, the Bankruptcy Court shall, on the court’s own motion or a party’s timely motion, determine whether the proceeding is one in which the Bankruptcy Court may enter a final order or judgment.
This rule confirms that it is for the Bankruptcy Court to determine whether it has the authority to enter a final order or judgment in a proceeding. A party's contention that the Bankruptcy Court lacks that authority will not by itself remove the proceeding from determination by the Bankruptcy Court. Absent withdrawal of the reference, the Bankruptcy Court shall retain the proceeding, and shall at the conclusion of the proceeding exercise the authority it determines to be proper.
(2) to avoid a waiver of any right to review by the District Court, elect that the appeal of the final order or judgment be heard by the District Court in the manner set forth in 28 U.S.C. § 158(c)(1) and Bankruptcy Rule 8005(a).
(b) The requirements for the contents of the appellate briefs in a case in which a party contends that the Bankruptcy Court lacked authority to enter a final order or judgment are set forth in B.L.R. 8010-2.
Because the Bankruptcy Court decides whether it has authority to enter a final order or judgment, or whether it must submit proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law to the District Court, there will be instances in which the Bankruptcy Court will enter judgment in a case in which a party contends that the Bankruptcy Court had authority only to submit proposed findings and conclusions. This rule is intended to clarify two points about how the parties should proceed in such a case. First, the party seeking review must proceed by filing a notice of appeal, because that is the proper process for obtaining review of an order or judgment, even where the party seeking review believes that the Bankruptcy Court did not have authority to enter the order or judgment. Second, to preserve any right to de novo review by an Article III court, a party must elect to have the appeal heard by the District Court, rather than by the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel. Under District Court General Order 24 (February 22, 2016), if the District Court agrees that the Bankruptcy Court should have issued proposed findings and conclusions, it can treat the decision of the Bankruptcy Court as proposed findings and conclusions subject to de novo review. Executive Benefits Ins. Agency, Inc. v. Arkinson (In re Bellingham Ins. Agency, Inc.), 134 S.Ct. 2165, 573 U.S. 189 L.Ed. 2d 83 (2014). The Bankruptcy Appellate Panel cannot itself provide de novo review under Article III. A party that does not avail itself of the opportunity to obtain de novo review by an Article III court may be found to have waived any right to such review.
8004-1. Manner of Taking Appeal.
Upon the filing of a notice of appeal and a statement of election to have the appeal heard by the District court, the Clerk of the Bankruptcy Court shall forward to the Clerk of the District Court the notice of appeal, the statement of election and the docket sheet. Bankruptcy Rules 8003(d)(1) and 8005(b). If a statement of election is filed by an appellee, the notice of appeal and the statement of election will be received from the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel. In either case, the Clerk of the District Court shall immediately open a file, docket these documents and give notice to the parties of the name of the assigned District Judge and the District Court case number. Bankruptcy Rule 8003(d)(2).
8009-1. Procedure in Bankruptcy Appeals.
Upon receipt of the record on appeal from the Clerk of the Bankruptcy Court, the Clerk of the District Court shall immediately docket it in the case in which the notice of appeal was filed and give notice to all parties to the appeal of the briefing schedule.
(b) Dismissal for Failure to Perfect Appeal.
(1) Motion by Appellee. Any appellee may file a motion in the District Court to dismiss the appeal. The motion shall be supported by an affidavit or declaration of counsel for the moving party, setting forth the date and substance of the judgment or order from which the appeal is taken, the date upon which notice of appeal was filed, and the facts showing appellant's failure to perfect the appeal in the manner prescribed by Bankruptcy Rule 8009.
(2) Recommendation by Bankruptcy Court. The Bankruptcy Court may, on its own motion, transmit the notice of appeal to the District Court with a recommendation that the appeal be dismissed. The transmittal shall be accompanied by a certificate of the Bankruptcy Judge indicating the reasons for the recommendation. The Clerk of the Bankruptcy Court shall serve copies of the transmittal and the certificate on all parties.
(3) Procedure. Upon receipt of a motion under subsection (1) or a recommendation under subsection (2) of this subsection (c), the Clerk of the District Court shall docket the motion in the case previously assigned to the appeal. Unless the assigned District Judge orders otherwise: within 14 days after receiving notice of the assignment to a District Judge, appellant shall file in the District Court a brief of not more than five pages in opposition to dismissal of the appeal; 14 days thereafter, appellee(s) may file a reply brief of not more than five pages; no hearing will be held unless the assigned District Judge orders otherwise.
When the Bankruptcy Rules, the FRCivP and the Civil L.R. are silent as to a particular matter of practice on an appeal to the District Court from the Bankruptcy Court, the assigned District Judge may apply the Rules of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the FRAppP, and the Rules of the United States Bankruptcy Appellate Panel of the Ninth Circuit.
(c) satisfy all the requirements of B.L.R. 9033-1, treating the findings of fact and conclusions of law of the Bankruptcy Court as proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law for that purpose.
This rule is intended to clarify the issues that the parties must address in their appellate briefs to the District Court in a case in which the Bankruptcy Court has entered a final order or judgment, and a party contends on appeal that the Bankruptcy Court had authority only to submit proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law to the District Court. The briefs must address whether the Bankruptcy Court had authority to enter the order or judgment. The briefs must also address how the appeal should be resolved if the District Court determines that the Bankruptcy Court did have authority to enter the order or judgment. That is, the briefs must address whether the order or judgment should be affirmed under traditional standards of appellate review. Finally, the briefs must also address how the appeal should be resolved if the District Court determines that the Bankruptcy Court had authority only to submit proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law. In other words, the parties must satisfy all requirements that would apply if the Bankruptcy Court had submitted proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law to the District Court under B.L.R. 9033-1.
8018-1. Time for Filing Briefs.
Unless the assigned District Judge orders otherwise for good cause shown, the parties shall comply with the briefing schedules set forth in Bankruptcy Rules 8016 and 8018.
Upon completion of the briefing, the assigned District Judge will set a date for oral argument unless the judge determines that oral argument is unnecessary as provided in Bankruptcy Rule 8019(b)(1), (2), or (3). In that case the matter will be deemed submitted for decision.
9006-1. Enlargement or Shortening of Time.
(a) Requirements for Changing Time.
Except as provided in paragraph (b), approval of the Court is required to enlarge or to shorten time to perform any act or to file any paper pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Bankruptcy Rules, or these Bankruptcy Local Rules.
(b) Stipulation for Changing Time.
Parties may stipulate in writing, without a Court order, to extend the time within which to answer or otherwise respond to the complaint or to enlarge or shorten the time in matters not required to be filed with the Court, provided the change will not alter the date of any hearing or conference set by the Court. Such stipulations shall be promptly filed pursuant to B.L.R. 1002-1.
(c) Requests for Changing Time.
(4) Where the request is not made by stipulation, the efforts made to speak with the respondent and, if the movant has spoken with the respondent, the reasons given for any refusal to agree to the request.
9011-1. Sanctions and Penalties for Non-compliance.
Any petition, schedule, statement, declaration, claim or other document filed and signed or subscribed under any method (digital, electronic, scanned) adopted under the rules of this Court shall be treated for all purposes (both civil and criminal, including penalties for perjury) in the same manner as though manually signed or subscribed.
Failure of counsel or of a party to comply with any provision of these rules or the Bankruptcy Rules shall be grounds for imposition by the Court of appropriate sanctions.
(a) Matters Covered by Rule.
This rule shall apply to initial papers, response papers, and reply papers in any case or adversary proceeding .
(1) The first document, the motion, shall provide a concise statement of what relief or Court action the movant seeks.
(2) The second document, the memorandum of points and authorities, shall provide a statement of the issues to be decided, a succinct statement of the relevant facts, and the argument of the party, citing supporting authorities. The motion and the memorandum of points and authorities may be combined and docketed together.
(3) The third document, the notice of hearing, shall be docketed separately and state the date, time, and location of the hearing (if any).
Unless the Court expressly orders otherwise, the initial and response memoranda of points and authorities shall not exceed 25 pages of text, and reply memorandum shall not exceed 15 pages of text. Any memorandum exceeding 10 pages of text shall also include a table of contents and a table of authorities.
(1) Factual contentions made in support of, or in opposition to, any motion, application or objection should be supported by affidavits or declarations and appropriate references to the record. Extracts from depositions, interrogatory answers, requests for admission and other evidentiary matter must be appropriately authenticated by affidavit or declaration.
(2) Affidavits and declarations shall contain only facts, shall conform as far as possible to the requirements of Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(e), and shall avoid conclusions and argument. Any statement made upon information or belief shall specify the basis therefor. Affidavits and declarations not in compliance with this rule may be stricken in whole or in part.
(3) Each affidavit or declaration shall be filed as a separate document.
Prior to the noticed hearing date, counsel may bring to the Court's attention relevant judicial opinions published after the date the opposition or reply was filed by filing and serving a Statement of Recent Development, containing a citation to and providing a copy of the new opinion without argument. Otherwise, once a reply is filed, no additional memoranda, papers or letters shall be filed without prior Court approval.
9013-2. Motions; To Whom Made.
Motions, applications and objections will be determined by the Judge to whom the case or proceeding is assigned, except as may be otherwise ordered by the assigned Judge. In the Judge's discretion, or upon request by counsel and with the Judge's approval, a motion may be determined without oral argument, or by conference telephone call.
(b) Unassigned Case or Judge Unavailable.
(2) An order is necessary before an action or proceeding can be filed.
For purposes of this rule, a Judge is unavailable if the Judge has filed a certificate of unavailability or such unavailability is certified by the Judge's courtroom deputy, law clerk, judicial assistant or secretary.
9013-3. Service-Calculating Time; Certifying Service; Electronic Service.
(a) Additional Time after Service.
The time limits established in these Bankruptcy Local Rules have been calculated to include the "additional time after service" provided by Bankruptcy Rule 9006(f).
A certificate of service shall identify the capacity in which the person or entity was served. Capacity to be identified includes: Debtor (s); Attorney for Debtor(s); Trustee ; Attorney for Trustee; Twenty Largest Unsecured Creditors; and Special Notice List. If notice to the 20 largest unsecured creditors is required, and there are less than 20 unsecured creditors of the estate, the certificate of service shall also indicate that all unsecured creditors were served. This subparagraph (b) shall not apply to motions and applications served on all creditors, or to motions served in adversary proceedings.
(c) Service by Electronic Filing.
Notwithstanding subparagraph (a) of this rule, transmission of the Notification of Electronic Filing by the Clerk to a Registered Participant who has consented to electronic service shall constitute effective service on that Registered Participant of all papers governed by FRCivP 5(b), as that rule is incorporated by Bankruptcy Rule 7005 and Bankruptcy Rule 9014(b), and of notices of judgment or order governed by Bankruptcy Rule 9022.
Service of papers that initiate an adversary proceeding under Bankruptcy Rules 7001-7087, i.e., the summons and complaint under Bankruptcy Rule 7004, or that commence a contested matter under Bankruptcy Rule 9014, e.g., a motion for stay relief or objection to claim , are not governed by FRCivP 5, and must still be made by paper. Likewise, general notices to creditors pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 2002 must still be served by conventional means and are not governed by this rule. Of course, a party may always stipulate to the effectiveness of service by means other than conventional "paper service", including accepting the Notification of Electronic Filing as effective service.
In contrast to initiating papers, service of papers governed by FRCivP 5 or Bankruptcy Rule 9022, including answers to complaints, motions in adversary proceedings, responses to motions, and notices of entry of judgment or order, are governed by subparagraph (c) of this rule. Each ECF Registered Participant who has not refused consent to electronic service and who has appeared in the case or adversary proceeding receives an email from the Court containing a link to the paper. The rule of subparagraph (c) makes service by electronic mail "Notification of Electronic Filing" effective service of these matters. As to matters governed by subparagraph (c), filing parties need only serve persons who either are not ECF Registered Participants or are ECF Registered Participants who have refused consent to electronic service. A list of such "manual notice" parties may be determined by reviewing the Notification of Electronic Filing (which reprints the list) or from the Utilities menu of ECF under "Mailing Information."
9014-1. Case Motions and Objections.
This rule shall apply to any motion, application or objection with respect to which the Bankruptcy Code provides that relief may be obtained after "notice and a hearing" or similar phrase, but does not apply to: (1) motions for relief from the automatic stay ; (2) proceedings that must be initiated by complaint under Bankruptcy Rule 7001 (adversary proceedings) or motions therein; (3) hearings on approval of disclosure statements and confirmation of Chapter 11 , 12 and 13 plans; and (4) matters that may properly be presented to a Judge ex parte.
(b) Procedures For Hearings and Disposition.
(E) Objections to a debtor's claim of exemption.
(2) Hearing Permitted. In addition to the required hearings described in B.L.R. 9014-1(b)(1), any matter within the scope of this rule may be set for a hearing.
(3) Notice and Opportunity for Hearing. Unless otherwise ordered, a party in interest may initiate a request for relief, without setting a hearing, regarding any matter within the scope of this rule, other than those matters described in B.L.R. 9014-1(b)(1).
If there is no timely objection to the requested relief or a request for hearing, the court may enter an order granting the relief by default.
(B) Procedure for Tentative Hearing Dates. A tentative hearing shall be set at least 14 days after the last date for parties to file objections or requests for hearings in accordance with B.L.R. 9014-1(b)(3)(A)(i). The tentative hearing will not go forward unless an objection or request for hearing is timely filed and served, in which case the party initiating the proceedings under B.L.R. 9014-1(b)(3) shall file and serve not less than 7 days before the hearing, notice that the tentative hearing will be conducted as an actual hearing. Such Notice of Hearing is to be in writing, and is to be given to the objecting or requesting party, any trustee and any committee appointed in the case, and the Court. The Court will not schedule the matter on the judges calendar unless the Notice of Hearing has been filed and served timely. The initiating party shall also give 7 days telephonic notice to the Judge's Calendar Clerk/Courtroom Deputy that the tentative hearing will be an actual hearing.
(C) Conduct of Hearing. At the hearing the Court will proceed in accordance with B.L.R. 3007-1 on objections to claims. On other matters in which the Court determines that there is a genuine issue of material fact, the Court may treat the hearing as a status conference and schedule further hearings as appropriate.
(A) In the case of an objection to a claim, a motion to avoid a lien pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 522(f), or other request for relief as against an identified, named entity, the request for entry of order by default shall be served upon the entity against whom relief is sought. If relief is sought against any entity that has filed a claim, the request shall be mailed to the address shown on the proof of claim .
(iii) any committee of unsecured creditors that has been appointed in the case.
(C) Upon filing of an appropriate request for entry of an order by default, with service in accordance with B.L.R. 9014-1(b)(4), the Court may grant the requested relief.
(c) Schedule For Filing of Papers.
(1) Where the matter is governed by B.L.R. 9014-1(b)(1), or the initiating party desires a hearing under B.L.R. 9014-1(b)(2), and relief is sought against an identified, named entity, the motion, notice of the hearing, supporting declarations, memoranda, and all other papers shall be filed and served at least 28 days before the actual scheduled hearing date. Any opposition shall be filed and served on the initiating party at least 14 days prior to the actual scheduled hearing date. Any reply shall be filed and served at least 7 days prior to the actual scheduled hearing date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no responsive pleading to an objection to a claim of exemption shall be required.
(2) Where the matter is governed by B.L.R. 9014-1(b)(1) or (b)(2) and relief is sought generally, and not against an identified, named entity, the motion or application, notice of the hearing, supporting declarations, memoranda, and all other papers shall be filed and served at least 21 days before the actual scheduled hearing date. Any opposition to the requested relief shall be filed and served on the initiating party no less than 7 days before the actual scheduled hearing date.
(3) Where the matter is governed by B.L.R. 9014-1(b)(3), the initiating party may file and serve any reply to the objecting party's opposition no less than 7 days before the hearing.
(d) Shortened Notice Period Where Chapter 7 Estate Accruing Administrative Rent.
(b) Any motion to assume and assign (but not just to assume) an unexpired lease of nonresidential real property where the debtor is the tenant, with notice to be provided in accordance with B.L.R. 6006-1(a).
(2) A Chapter 7 Trustee may notice a motion to reject an unexpired lease of nonresidential real property where the debtor is the tenant on 24-hours notice, with notice to be provided in accordance with B.L.R. 6006-1(b).
(3) Opposition to motions made pursuant to this subparagraph may be presented at or before the hearing or, if the matter may not require a hearing pursuant to B.L.R. 6006- 1(b), by filed opposition before the 24-hour-hour period has elapsed.
9015-1. Jury Trial of Right.
FRCivP 38(a)-(d) applies in adversary proceedings.
9015-2. Jury Trials and Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Claims.
In any proceeding in which a demand for jury trial is made, the Bankruptcy Judge shall, upon the motion of one of the parties, or upon the Bankruptcy Judge's own motion, determine whether the demand was timely made and whether the demanding party has a right to a jury trial. The Bankruptcy Judge may, on the Judge's own motion, determine that there is no right to a jury trial in a proceeding even if all of the parties have consented to a jury trial.
(b) Motion and Certification to District Court.
If the Bankruptcy Judge determines that the demand for a jury trial was timely made and the party has a right to a jury trial, and if all parties have not filed written consent to a jury trial before the Bankruptcy Judge, the Bankruptcy Judge shall, after having resolved all pre-trial matters, including dispositive motions, certify to the District Court that the proceeding is to be tried by a jury and that the parties have not consented to a jury trial in the Bankruptcy Court, and shall include in such certification, a report of the status of the proceeding and a recommendation on when the matter would be suitable for withdrawal from the Bankruptcy Court. Upon such certification, the party who has demanded a jury trial shall promptly file a motion in accordance with B.L.R. 5011-2(a) for withdrawal of the reference of the proceeding to be tried to a jury. The motion and the certification shall thereafter be handled in the District Court in accordance with B.L.R. 5011-2(c), (d) and (e).
(c) Jury Trial in Bankruptcy Court.
The Bankruptcy Judges of this District are hereby specially designated to conduct jury trials pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 157(e). If the Bankruptcy Judge determines that a jury demand was timely made and the demanding party has a right to jury trial, and if all parties expressly consent to a jury trial before the Bankruptcy Judge, the Bankruptcy Judge shall try the proceeding by jury and shall enter judgment at the conclusion of the trial.
(d) Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Claims.
Upon timely motion of a party or upon the Bankruptcy Judge's own motion, the Bankruptcy Judge may determine that a claim is a personal injury tort or wrongful death claim requiring trial by a District Judge. Upon making such a determination, the Bankruptcy Judge shall, after having resolved all pre-trial matters, including dispositive motions, certify to the District Court that the claim is one which requires trial in the District Court under 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(5) and shall include in such certification, a report of the status of the proceeding and a recommendation on when the matter would be suitable for withdrawal from the Bankruptcy Court. Upon such certification, the party who has demanded a jury trial shall promptly file a motion in accordance with B.L.R. 5011-2(a) for withdrawal of the reference of the proceeding to be tried to a jury. The motion and the certification shall thereafter shall be handled in the District Court in accordance with B.L.R. 5011-2(c), (d) and (e).
In any proceeding within the jurisdiction created by 28 U.S.C. § 1334, FRCivP 38(a)-(d), 39, 47-51, and 81(c) shall govern the demand for and conduct of jury trials.
Nothing contained in this rule shall be construed to preclude the entry of any order of remand or abstention.
Unless authorized by the judge or in the assigned judge's posted policies for submission of proposed orders through ECF, no proposed forms of orders granting or denying motions shall be submitted with the moving or opposition papers prior to hearing. A copy of a proposed form of order may be attached as an exhibit to a notice or memorandum.
If authorized by the judge, the prevailing party may submit a proposed order to the Judge hearing the matter at the conclusion of the hearing after permitting all other counsel appearing at the hearing to review the proposed order.
If a form of order is not approved by the Judge at the conclusion of the hearing, the prevailing party, or such other party ordered to do so by the Judge hearing the motion, shall submit a proposed order to the Judge promptly thereafter. The order shall contain the signatures of any other counsel who appeared at the hearing, approving it as to form, or shall be accompanied by a certificate of service evidencing service of the proposed order on all such counsel. Orders not approved as to form will ordinarily be lodged for 7 days after service.
9022-1. Notice of Entry of Order and Judgment.
Each order or judgment submitted to the Court, including those submitted through ECF, shall be accompanied by a Court Service List identifying, in alphabetical order, all parties required to be served with the order under applicable federal and local rules together with their counsel of record (if any). The Court Service List should not include those parties who have appeared in the case or adversary proceeding by counsel who are ECF Registered Participants and who have consented to electronic service through the Court's ECF Procedures.
(b) Notice of Entry of Order.
Upon the entry of each order or judgment on the Court docket, the Notice of Electronic Filing shall constitute notice of entry of judgments and orders by the Court upon all Registered Participants who have consented to electronic service through the Court's ECF Procedures. A paper copy of the order or judgment will be served by the Court on all parties on the Court Service List submitted pursuant to subparagraph (a) above. The date the order of judgment was entered will be reflected on the copy served, which will constitute notice of entry of the order or judgment on non-registered or non-consenting parties.
(a) A notice of removal shall contain a statement that upon removal of the claim or cause of action, the party filing the notice does or does not consent to entry of final orders or judgment by the Bankruptcy Court.
(b) Any party other than the party filing the notice of removal shall file a statement indicating whether the party does or does not consent to entry of final orders or judgment by the Bankruptcy Court as required by Bankruptcy Rule 9027(e)(3).
This rule incorporates for removed matters the requirement that the parties to a proceeding inform the Bankruptcy Court in their initial pleadings whether they consent to the entry of final order or judgment by the Bankruptcy Court. Subpart “a” requires the party filing the notice of removal to include therein such a statement. Subpart “b” requires all other parties to include such a statement in a response filed within 14 days of the notice of removal. Parties who have not yet responded to a removed complaint should satisfy the requirements of B.L.R. 7012-1.
The Judges of the Bankruptcy Court or any division thereof may adopt, and as needed revise, guidelines concerning the allowance and disallowance of professional fees and expense reimbursement and the contents and format of applications therefore filed pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § § 330(a) and 331 and Bankruptcy Rule 2016(a), the contents of applications for approval of cash collateral and financing stipulations pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § § 363(c)(2) or 364(c) and Bankruptcy Rule 4001(b), (c), or (d), and such other matters as the Judges or divisions may deem appropriate. Copies of any guidelines so adopted shall be available in the Office of the Clerk of any division in which they are effective. Although referenced herein, such guidelines are not intended to be local rules, and shall not have the force and effect thereof.
9033-1. Procedure on Bankruptcy Court's Proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law.
(3) Whether the objecting party requests that oral testimony be heard by the District Court, the reason for requesting oral testimony, and the issues on which oral testimony is requested. At the time the objection is filed, the objecting party shall file in the Bankruptcy Court a designation of the record for review, which shall include a transcript of the trial or hearing in the Bankruptcy Court.
(2) The issues on which oral testimony should be heard. At the time the response is filed, the responding party shall file any additional designations of the record for review.
If an objection is filed, the Clerk of the Bankruptcy Court shall, within 28 days after the time for filing a response has expired, transmit the proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law and proposed order or judgment, together with the objections, response, transcript and record, to the Clerk of the District Court, who shall assign the matter to a District Judge pursuant to the District Court's Assignment Plan . The Clerk of the District Court shall promptly notify the parties of the name of the assigned District Judge and the District Court case number assigned to the matter. No hearing will be held unless the assigned District Judge orders otherwise.
If no objection is filed within the time specified, unless otherwise ordered by the Bankruptcy Court, the Clerk of the Bankruptcy Court shall transmit the proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law and proposed order or judgment to the Clerk of the District Court, with a certificate that no objection has been filed and a request that the proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order or judgment be assigned to the General Duty Judge, who may take such action on the proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law and proposed order and judgment as the General Duty Judge deems appropriate, including disposition as a default matter without further notice or hearing.
9040-1. Bankruptcy Dispute Resolution Program.
The following Local Rules govern the Bankruptcy Dispute Resolution Program ("BDRP") in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California.
The Court recognizes that formal litigation of disputes in bankruptcy cases and adversary proceedings frequently imposes significant economic burdens on parties and often delays resolution of those disputes. The procedures established by these Local Rules are intended primarily to provide litigants with the means to resolve their disputes more quickly, at less cost, and often without the stress and pressure of litigation.
The Court also notes that the volume of cases, contested matters and adversary proceedings filed in this District has placed substantial burdens upon counsel, litigants and the Court, all of which contribute to the delay in the resolution of disputed matters. A Court authorized dispute resolution program, in which litigants and counsel meet with a Resolution Advocate, offers an opportunity to parties to settle legal disputes promptly and less expensively, to their mutual satisfaction. By these Local Rules the BDRP is adopted for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California.
It is the Court's intention that the BDRP shall operate in such a way as to allow the participants to take advantage of and utilize a wide variety of alternative dispute resolution methods. These methods may include but are not limited to: mediation, negotiation, early neutral evaluation and settlement facilitation. The specific method or methods employed will be those that are appropriate and applicable as determined by the Resolution Advocate and the parties, and will vary from matter to matter.
These Local Rules apply to all matters referred to the BDRP. All of the other Bankruptcy Local Rules apply, except to the extent that they are inconsistent with these Bankruptcy Local Rules 9040-1 through 9050-1.
(3) Considered whether their case might benefit from any of the available dispute resolution options.
Matters involving contempt or other types of sanctions.
9042-1. Panel of Resolution Advocates.
The Bankruptcy Court shall establish and maintain a panel of qualified professionals (the "Panel") who have volunteered and have been chosen to serve as Resolution Advocates for the possible resolution of matters referred to the BDRP.
Resolution Advocates shall serve as members of the Panel for a one year term.
Applications to serve as a member of the Panel shall be submitted to the BDRP Administrator by the deadlines established by the Court each year, shall set forth the qualifications described below, and should conform to forms promulgated by the Court.
9042-3. Annual Selection of Resolution Advocates.
Each appointment year the Bankruptcy Judges of the Court will select the Panel from the applications submitted, giving due regard to alternative dispute resolution training and experience and such matters as professional experience and location so as to make the Panel appropriately representative of the public being served by the BDRP. Appointments will be limited to keep the panel at an appropriate size and to ensure that the panel is comprised of individuals who have broad-based experience, superior skills and qualifications from a variety of legal specialties and other professions.
9042-4. Geographic Areas of Service.
The Resolution Advocates on the Panel will indicate to the Court the city or cities within the District in which they are willing to act or serve.
Before first serving as a Resolution Advocate on any assigned Matters, each person selected pursuant to B.L.R. 9042-3 shall have completed requisite alternative dispute resolution training provided by the Court or approved by the BDRP Administrator.
9044-1. Assignment to the BDRP.
(a) A contested matter in a case, adversary proceeding , or other dispute (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Matter" or "Matters") may be assigned to the BDRP by order of the Judge at a status conference or other hearing, or if requested by the parties by submission of a stipulated order. While participation in the BDRP is intended to be voluntary, any Judge, acting sua sponte or on the request of a party, may designate specific Matters for inclusion in the program. If a Matter is to be assigned to the BDRP, the parties will be presented with the order assigning the Matter to the BDRP, and with a current roster of the Panel. The parties shall normally be given the opportunity to confer and designate a mutually acceptable Resolution Advocate as well as an alternate Resolution Advocate. If the parties cannot agree, or if the Judge deems selection by the Court to be appropriate and necessary, the Judge shall select a Resolution Advocate. Nothing contained in these Local Rules is intended to preclude other forms of dispute resolution with consent of the parties and, where required, approval of the Court.
(b) The original of the order assigning a Matter to the BDRP shall be docketed and retained in the case or adversary proceeding file and copies shall be mailed promptly by the party so designated by the Judge to the assigned Resolution Advocate, the alternate Resolution Advocate, the BDRP Administrator's staff assistant and to all other parties to the dispute. Assignment to the BDRP shall not alter or affect any time limits, deadlines, scheduling matters or orders in any adversary proceeding, contested matter or other proceeding, unless specifically ordered by the Court.
9044-2. Service of Resolution Advocate.
No Resolution Advocate may serve in any Matter in violation of the standards set forth in 28 U.S.C. § 455. An attorney Resolution Advocate shall also promptly determine all conflicts or potential conflicts in the same manner as an attorney would under the California Rules of Professional Conduct if any party to the dispute were a client. A non-attorney Resolution Advocate shall promptly determine all conflicts or potential conflicts in the same manner as under the applicable rules pertaining to the Resolution Advocate's profession. If the Resolution Advocate's firm has represented one or more of the parties, the Resolution Advocate shall promptly disclose that circumstance to all parties in writing. A party who believes that the assigned Resolution Advocate has a conflict of interest shall promptly bring the matter to the attention of the Resolution Advocate. If the Resolution Advocate does not withdraw from the assignment, the matter shall be brought to the attention of the Court by the Resolution Advocate or any of the parties.
9045-3. Failure to Attend BDRP Conference.
Willful failure to attend the BDRP conference and other violations of this order shall be reported to the Court by the Resolution Advocate and may result in the imposition of sanctions by the Court.
9046-1. Conduct of the BDRP Conference.
(g) Determine whether some form of follow-up to the conference would contribute to the case development process or to settlement.
(a) All written and oral communications made in connection with or during any BDRP conference, including the BDRP statement referred to in B.L.R. 9045-1(d), shall be subject to all the protections afforded by Fed. R. Evid. 408 and by Bankruptcy Rule 7068. The Resolution Advocate may ask the parties to sign a confidentiality agreement provided by the Court.
(2) Offered for another purpose, such as proving bias or prejudice of a witness, negativing a contention of undue delay, or proving an effort to obstruct a criminal investigation or prosecution.
(c) Nothing in this B.L.R. 9047-1 shall be construed to prevent parties, counsel or Resolution Advocates from responding in absolute confidentiality, to inquiries or surveys by persons authorized by this Court to evaluate the BDRP. Nor shall anything in this section be construed to prohibit parties from entering into written agreements resolving some or all of the Matter or entering or filing procedural or factual stipulations based on suggestions or agreements made in connection with a BDRP conference.
9048-1. Suggestions and Recommendations of Resolution Advocate.
If the Resolution Advocate makes any oral or written suggestions to a party's attorney as to the advisability of a change in that party's position with respect to settlement, the attorney for that party shall promptly transmit that suggestion to the party. The Resolution Advocate shall have no obligation to make any written comments or recommendations, but may, as a matter of discretion, provide the parties with a written settlement recommendation memorandum. No copy of any such memorandum shall be filed with the Clerk or made available in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, to the Court.
9049-1. Procedures Upon Completion of BDRP Conference.
(b) The Resolution Advocate shall file with the Court and serve on the parties and the BDRP Administrator's staff assistant, within 14 days, a certificate in the form provided by the Court, showing whether there has been compliance with the BDRP conference requirements of these Local Rules, and whether or not a settlement has been reached. Regardless of the outcome of the BDRP conference, the Resolution Advocate will not provide the Court with any details of the substance of the conference.
In order to assist the BDRP Administrator in compiling useful data to evaluate the BDRP, and to aid the Court in assessing the efforts of the members of the Panel, the Resolution Advocate shall report to the BDRP Administrator's staff assistant providing an estimate of the number of hours spent in the BDRP conference and statistical and evaluative information, which report shall be on a form provided by the Court.
9050-1. Fee for Service of Resolution Advocates.
The Resolution Advocates are authorized to charge each side, whether or not represented by counsel, up to $100 for their services. This fee, which is waiveable in whole or in part in the discretion of the Resolution Advocate, is applicable for all matters assigned to the BDRP by Court order dated on or after January 2, 1999.

References: § 2075
 § 1408
 § 1452
 § 707
 § 345
 § 345
 § 705
 § 1102
 § 301
 § 302
 § 303
 § 341
 § 341
 § 341
 § 1125
 § 1124
 § 1125
 § 522
 § 1141
 § 101
 § 157
 § 362
 § 157
 § 157
 § 363
 § 363
 § 363
 § 365
 § 158
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 § 522
 § 157
 § 157
 § 1334
 § 330
 § 363
 § 455