In light of the precautions advised by the Centers for Disease Control to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, the United States Bankruptcy Judges for the Eastern District of New York have adopted the following procedures, effective until further notice. These procedures will be reviewed and updated as appropriate, so parties should check for updates.
For Hearings Before Chief Judge Craig:
- Parties (including attorneys, represented parties, and pro se parties) who wish to appear by telephone may arrange to do so by contacting the Courtroom Deputy by email at: cec_hearings@nyeb.uscourts.gov at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled hearing. The Courtroom Deputy will respond by email, providing a dial in number and instructions.
For Hearings Before Judge Lord:
- Debtors in all bankruptcy cases who are represented by counsel in cases pending before Judge Lord are excused from in-person appearances, unless Judge Lord specifically orders the Debtor(s) to appear.
- Loss mitigation conferences, hearings on uncontested motions for relief from stay, motions to approve reaffirmation agreements, and all other uncontested motions will be handled telephonically.
To schedule a telephonic appearance, please contact the Courtroom Deputy at: nhl_hearings@nyeb.uscourts.gov 24 hours in advance of the scheduled hearing.
For Hearings Before Judge Stong:
- Requests to appear by telephone in uncontested matters and status conferences are encouraged. Requests by attorneys, represented parties, and pro se parties may be made by contacting the Courtroom Deputy by email at: ess_hearings@nyeb.uscourts.gov at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled hearing. The Courtroom Deputy will respond by email, providing a dial in number and instructions.
- Requests for adjournments on consent are encouraged. Requests by attorneys, represented parties, and pro se parties may be made by contacting the Courtroom Deputy by email at: ess_hearings@nyeb.uscourts.gov at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled hearing. The Courtroom Deputy will respond by email, providing available dates and times and any other instructions.
- Unless the Court directs otherwise, appearances by parties represented by counsel in Chapter 13 cases are waived.
- All persons are directed to comply with EDNY Administrative Order No. 2020-05, concerning access to the courthouse, which may be found on this Court’s website at: https://www.nyeb.uscourts.gov/sites/nyeb/files/general-ordes/ord_689.pdf.
- All persons are encouraged to check this Court’s website regularly for updates to these procedures.
For Hearings Before Judge Trust:
- All Debtors in all bankruptcy cases who are represented by counsel in cases pending before Judge Trust are excused from in-person court appearances, unless Judge Trust specifically orders the Debtor(s) to appear.
- All persons who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or have had contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, or are otherwise prohibited from entry to the Courthouse pursuant to EDNY Administrative Order No. 2020-05, must request to adjourn their matters by contacting Judge Trust’s Courtroom Deputy, Yvette Mills, at: ast_hearings@nyeb.uscourts.gov at least 3 days in advance of the hearing, with notice to all opposing parties. Telephone calls to chambers to request an adjournment are not allowed unless the party does not have email access.
For Hearings Before Judge Grossman:
All persons are directed to comply with Eastern District of New York Administrative Order No. 2020-05 re: Restrictions on Visitors to Courthouses, found on the Bankruptcy Court’s website. See Judges Procedures at: https://www.nyeb.uscourts.gov/content/robert-e-grossman
For Hearings Before Judge Scarcella:
- Parties (including attorneys, represented parties, and pro se parties) who wish to appear by telephone may arrange to do so by contacting the Courtroom Deputy by email at: las_hearings@nyeb.uscourts.gov at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled hearing. The Courtroom Deputy will respond by email, providing a dial in number and instructions.
All persons are directed to comply with Eastern District of New York Administrative Order No. 2020-05 regarding Restrictions on Visitors to Courthouses, which is found on the Bankruptcy Court’s website.
More information can be found here.