This Legal Update reports on significant changes to the local rules and procedures for all US federal district and appellate courts between July 17 and July 23, 2013. It also reports on changes to the individual practice rules for judges in select district courts during this time period.
The US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan issued a General Ordergoverning media and public conduct, courtroom procedure and decorum with respect to the City of Detroit bankruptcy case.
Eighth Circuit
District of North Dakota
The US District Court for the District of North Dakota issued a notice stating that beginning August 1, 2013, all letters regarding Sentencing Hearings must be provided in PDF format, preferably PDF/A.
Ninth Circuit
Central District of California
The US District Court for the Central District of California began a pilot project for the electronic submission and filing of under seal documents earlier this month, and more judges have joined the program.
In light of this project, several judges updated their rules regarding under-seal filings:
Judge John A. Kronstadt added an order regarding the program.
The court also posted a new General Order regarding the referral of bankruptcy cases and proceedings.
Judge Margaret M. Morrow updated her procedures regarding mandatory chambers copies.
Northern District of California
The US District Court for the Northern District of California issued a notice saying that beginning in mid-August, the court will allow registered CM/ECF users to electronically file new civil cases. At that time, any registered CM/ECF user will be able to electronically file civil case initiating documents, pay the filing fee, and open a new civil case, all in a single CM/ECF transaction. The court will also begin issuing summonses electronically via CM/ECF.
Eleventh Circuit
Southern District of Florida
The US District Court for the Southern District of Florida issued an Administrative Order amending the Magistrate Judge Pairing Assignment Plan, effective September 23, 2013. It also posted an order regarding the Pairing Assignment Plan specific to the Ft. Lauderdale Division.