United States Bankruptcy Court Central District of California 21041 Burbank Boulevard, Suite 354 / Courtroom 301 Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Chambers (818) 587-2823
Courtroom Deputy (818) 587-2850
Court Recorder Contact (818) 587-2850
Emergency Motion Contacts (818) 587-2826 (818) 587-2823
Assistance with Finding a Lawyer
Electronic Devices in the Courtroom Judicial Variance Statement Notice of Availability of Self-Help Services Procedures for Auction Sales Serving Judge’s Copies of Documents for Cases Assigned to Judge Victoria S. Kaufman Status Conference Instructions Tentative Ruling Procedures for Judge Victoria S. Kaufman
Chapter 13 Calendar
Chapter 13 hearings - The following procedures will be in effect beginning January 7, 2022. All parties and attorneys may appear via ZoomGov for the Chapter 13 confirmation calendar by using the instructions on the judge’s court webpage. The chapter 13 trustee and her counsel will not be in the courtroom with the judge. No in-person check-in will be required because it is expected that parties will communicate by email before the hearing.
All efforts will be made to reduce the need for any appearance via ZoomGov, but counsel and clients will need to provide the usual requirements electronically well in advance of the hearing date to make this happen. Before the hearing, the debtor must email the chapter 13 trustee proof of any plan payments that are due by the time of the hearing, file all mortgage declarations and provide required documents to the trustee. All these items should be sent when due but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled hearing. If the case is ready for confirmation and all objections resolved, the chapter 13 trustee may inform the judge that the plan is confirmed on consent. Any plans not being confirmed may be continued without appearance if the chapter 13 trustee consents and creditors who have filed objections inform the chapter 13 trustee of their consent.
Any party may choose to keep a matter on calendar if there is no agreement for the chapter 13 trustee to represent the status of the case. The chapter 13 trustee may also keep any matter on calendar and seek a dismissal rather than a continuance if the debtor has not provided required payments or documents, but counsel may also argue the matter via ZoomGov. The miscellaneous calendar will also be conducted via ZoomGov for all parties.
With prior Court authorization, individuals also may appear in person. Tentative rulings, orders setting trial or other scheduling orders will indicate whether an in-person appearance is mandatory, e.g., for an evidentiary hearing. To obtain authorization to appear in person, individuals must contact chambers, at least 48 hours prior to the hearing, at (818) 587-2823.
NOTICE RE AUDIO AND VIDEO APPEARANCE PROCEDURES FOR JUDGE VICTORIA S. KAUFMAN’S CASES
Effective October 2, 2023, Judge Kaufman will resume in-person hearings. However, parties in interest (and their counsel) may continue to participate in most hearings remotely using ZoomGov audio and video.
ZoomGov connection information for each hearing is provided on Judge Kaufman’s publicly posted hearing calendar, which may be viewed online at: http://ecf-ciao.cacb.uscourts.gov/CiaoPosted/?jid=VK
Unless otherwise ordered by Judge Kaufman, no party or witness may appear remotely for any trial or evidentiary hearing.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND THE PRESS MAY ONLY CONNECT TO THE ZOOM AUDIO FEED, AND ONLY BY TELEPHONE. ACCESS TO THE VIDEO FEED BY THESE INDIVIDUALS IS PROHIBITED. IN THE CASE OF A TRIAL OR EVIDENTIARY HEARING, NO AUDIO ACCESS WILL BE PROVIDED. HOWEVER, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND THE PRESS MAY OBSERVE SUCH PROCEEDINGS IN PERSON.
A ZoomGov account is not necessary for remote access, and no pre-registration is required. Remote access through ZoomGov is free of charge. The audio portion of each hearing will be recorded electronically by the Court and constitute its official record.
ALL PERSONS (OTHER THAN AUTHORIZED COURT STAFF) ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED FROM MAKING ANY AUDIO OR VIDEO RECORDING OF COURT PROCEEDINGS, BY ANY MEANS. VIOLATION OF THIS PROHIBITION MAY RESULT IN THE IMPOSITION OF MONETARY AND NON-MONETARY SANCTIONS.
Remote access is a privilege. Judge Kaufman reserves the right to suspend or discontinue any party's remote access privileges in her discretion. Further, although Judge Kaufman is pleased to make this accommodation available, any party or counsel that elects to appear remotely bears the risk of malfunction or disconnection from the hearing.
Tips for a Successful ZoomGov Court Experience
When you first speak—and each time you speak after someone else has spoken—please say your name. This may seem awkward but is essential to making a good court record. The only part of the hearing being recorded is the audio. If a transcript is requested, it is sometimes difficult for the transcriber to know who is speaking.
If you are participating by video, try to avoid having a window or bright background behind you. (You may, as a result, appear on video as a shadow.) If you cannot avoid the bright background, try using a desk lamp or other light source to brighten your face.
If you are participating by video using a personal computer, you may separately connect to the audio feed by telephone (for improved audio) using the call-in information provided for the hearing.
If you do this, please connect to the video feed first. In the ZoomGov app, you will be assigned a Participant Code. Use this code to associate your video and audio feeds.
If available, a headset-microphone often provides better sound quality for listening and speaking.
Participants and members of the public should at all times remember that although conducted remotely, these hearings are official court proceedings, and individuals should act accordingly.
If video is enabled, please wear attire consistent with the decorum of court proceedings.
ZoomGov permits the use of virtual backgrounds to safeguard your privacy. If you choose to use a virtual background, please avoid backgrounds that are offensive or distracting.
ZoomGov video participants are permitted to specify a display name. If using video, please specify your complete name to assist the Court in creating a record of the proceedings.
Revised: September 2023
Printable version of Judge Kaufman's Telephonic Appearance Procedures
EXTERNS
Information for Applicants: Employees of the United States Bankruptcy Court serve on an “AT WILL” basis and are required to adhere to a Code of Conduct.
Judge Kaufman is participating in the Loan Modification Management Program, to learn more click here.
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