Judge Bason's
Procedures for Telephonic Appearances

Permission to appear telephonically generally will not be given for the following matters: 

1. Trials and evidentiary hearings (all counsel and all witnesses must appear in person);
2. Chapter 9 & 11 status conferences (debtor and debtor’s counsel must appear in person at the initial conference; other parties in interest may appear telephonically);
3. Chapter 9, 11, 12 & 13 disclosure statement or confirmation hearings (debtor, debtor’s counsel, and all objecting creditors must appear in person, but for Chapter 13 confirmation hearings that are uncontested or continued by consent no appearance is required except by counsel for the Chapter 13 trustee);
4. Reaffirmation hearings (debtor must appear in person; other parties in interest may appear telephonically); or
5. Any matter designated by the court as requiring a personal appearance.

For other matters, you may request permission to appear by telephone by calling the judge’s law clerk at least 24 hours before the hearing.  The judge does not use Court Call, Tele-Court or other third-party providers – if permission is given to appear by telephone then follow the law clerk’s instructions (which generally will involve chambers calling you at a designated time and transferring the call to the courtroom sound system).  Please note:  (a) use your mute button to avoid interfering with other hearings in progress, (b) no speaker phones allowed ever, (c) no cell phones allowed without a very good reason, and (d) please identify yourself for the record every time you speak.  Recording or retransmission is strictly prohibited and may result in sanctions.

Effective 10/26/12