United States Bankruptcy Court
Central District of California
Roybal Building
255 E. Temple Street, Suite 1482
Los Angeles, California 90012-3334
SHERI BLUEBOND Telephone: (213) 894-8980
United States Bankruptcy Judge FAX: (213) 894-1336

For a number of years, Judge Bluebond has allowed telephonic appearances in her courtroom through CourtCall for the convenience of the parties.  Beginning with hearings scheduled for dates on and after September 11, 2012, she will also allow appearances by video through CourtCall.  (Please note that there will be an additional fee, currently $10, for those wishing to utilize CourtCall’s video capabilities.  You need not pay this additional fee if you do not want these additional services.)  What this means for those appearing in Judge Bluebond’s courtroom is the following:

1. Should they wish to do so, those who have paid the additional fee will be able to observe courtroom proceedings during their appearances.
2. Should they wish to do so, those who have paid the additional fee and who have the appropriate computer and sufficient bandwidth will be able to transmit video to the courtroom and to other persons appearing via CourtCall at the hearing.
3. Those who do not have internet access or who choose not to participate by video may still make telephonic appearances, without video participation and without paying an additional fee.
4. Those who do not have the ability to transmit video may nevertheless pay the additional fee and view images of the judge and other persons appearing by video through CourtCall if they so desire.

Procedures Regarding Telephonic/Video Appearances

1. A telephonic or video appearance will be allowed without prior approval from the Court unless the matter on which you would like to appear telephonically or by video is one of the following:

1. Sale Motion
2. Cash Collateral Motion
3. Chapter 11 Plan Confirmation
4. Motion for Approval of Debtor-in-Possession Financing
5. Evidentiary Hearing

If your proceeding falls within one of the five categories listed above, you may appear without prior approval from the Court only if you will be monitoring the proceeding only and do not intend to advance any position or offer any oral argument.

2. A written list of the matter(s) on which you will be making a telephonic/video appearance must be provided to the Court via email to Chambers_SBluebond@cacb.uscourts.gov not later than 7 days prior to the hearing and must contain (i) the date, time and calendar number(s) of the hearing(s) in the subject line of the email and (ii) all of the following information within the body of the email:

1. the name of the case and the bankruptcy case number (and adversary number, if applicable);
2. the date and time of the hearing;
3. the calendar number assigned to the matter (or, if a calendar number has not yet been assigned, then a statement so stating);
4. the reason that the requesting party seeks to appear by telephone; and
5. who the requesting party represents; and
6. contact information, including email address and telephone number.

After you have received confirmation from the Court that it has noted your telephonic or video appearance, you must arrange for the telephonic or video appearance yourself by calling CourtCall at (866) 582-6878.

3. In order to obtain approval to appear telephonically or by video on any matter for which prior approval is required, send an email to Chambers_SBluebond@cacb.uscourts.gov requesting permission to appear telephonically not later than 7 days prior to the hearing and include the information contained in Paragraph II above. The Law Clerk will advise whether your request has been approved. If your request is approved, you will be responsible for making the arrangements for the telephonic or video appearance by calling CourtCall at (866) 582-6878.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

1. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT BANDWIDTH, COMPUTER MEMORY AND PROCESSING SPEEDS, YOU WILL NOT HAVE AN OPTIMAL EXPERIENCE. 
2. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TRANSMIT YOUR VIDEO AS PART OF A HEARING UNLESS YOU HAVE ALREADY TESTED YOUR BANDWIDTH AND COMPUTER FOR COURTCALL’S MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS. 
3. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PARTICIPATE VIA SPEAKERPHONE, AS THE SOUND QUALITY IS UNACCEPTABLE.  YOU MUST USE A HANDSET OR A HEADSET TO PARTICIPATE REMOTELY. 
4. DO NOT PARTICIPATE FROM AN OUTDOOR LOCATION OR FROM ANY OTHER LOCATION WITH SIGNIFICANT AMBIENT NOISE. 
5. VIDEO THAT IS NOT PROPERLY TRANSMITTED WILL BE TERMINATED BY THE COURT AND YOUR PARTICIPATION WILL BE BY AUDIO ONLY.  (Your additional payment of $10 will not be refunded.)
6. IF YOUR AUDIO CONNECTION PRODUCES EXTRANEOUS NOISE OR STATIC, YOUR LINE WILL BE MUTED AND, IF NECESSARY, DISCONNECTED.  (Any fee that you paid to CourtCall for the appearance will not be refunded.)

Please remember to review CourtCall’s procedures on audio and video etiquette.

RECORDING OR RETRANSMISSION OF AUDIO OR VIDEO FROM THE COURTROOM IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED AND MAY SUBJECT OFFENDING PARTIES TO SANCTION OR OTHER PENALTIES.

Printable version of Judge Bluebond's Telephonic Appearances Procedures