UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
DALLAS DIVISION
SELF-CALENDARING PROCEDURE
Judge Barbara J. Houser

Counsel may utilize a self-calendaring procedure for the scheduling of motions requiring 30 minutes or less of court time (time estimate must include estimates for the entire hearing). This procedure will allow counsel to self-select available dates and times on the appropriate judge's calendar and serve notice without contacting the courtroom deputy for a hearing setting. The court strongly encourages the use of this self-calendaring procedure when appropriate. Courtroom deputies are available, by email or telephone,to schedule non-self calendared hearings as needed.

The self-calendaring procedure for Judge Houser is as follows:

1. Types of proceedings that may be set in accordance with the self-calendar procedure:
   • Motions for Relief from Stay (preliminary hearings only)
   • All motions in Chapter 7

     Bankruptcy Terminology

     chapter 7: The chapter of the Bankruptcy Code providing for "liquidation," i.e., the sale of a debtor's nonexempt property and the distribution of the proceeds to creditors. cases (such as motions to sell property, motions to dismiss case, etc.)
   • Non-discovery motions in adversary proceedings (such as motions for default judgment, opposed motions for continuance)
     
     NOTE: If all parties agree to reset a Trial Docket Call in an Adversary Proceeding

     Bankruptcy Terminology

     adversary proceeding: A lawsuit arising in or related to a bankruptcy case that is commenced by filing a complaint with the court. , fax a letter of agreement to Viola Salcido, Courtroom Deputy, at 214-753-2038 indicating the agreed continuance date. See dates below
   • All motions in a Chapter 11

     Bankruptcy Terminology

     chapter 11: A reorganization bankruptcy, usually involving a corporation or partnership. (A chapter 11 debtor usually proposes a plan of reorganization to keep its business alive and pay creditors over time. People in business or individuals can also seek relief in chapter 11.) case which has not been designated as a complex case, Including motions for relief from stay. See guidelines, dates and times for motions for relief from stay.
2. The self-calendaring procedure will not be available for the following:
   • Adversary trial docket call and trial dates
     The courtroom deputy will select the date and time of the trial docket call before issuing the summons and scheduling order.
   • Discovery motions in adversary cases
     Counsel for the movant shall contact the courtroom deputy by e-mail or telephone to schedule the hearing.
   • Chapter 11 hearings on adequacy of disclosure statement

     Bankruptcy Terminology

     disclosure statement: A written document prepared by the chapter 11 debtor or other plan proponent that is designed to provide "adequate information" to creditors to enable them to evaluate the chapter 11 plan of reorganization. or confirmation of plan
     Counsel for the movant shall contact the courtroom deputy by e-mail or telephone to schedule a hearing on a disclosure statement. Following the approval of the disclosure statement

     Bankruptcy Terminology

     disclosure statement: A written document prepared by the chapter 11 debtor or other plan proponent that is designed to provide "adequate information" to creditors to enable them to evaluate the chapter 11 plan of reorganization., the court will set the confirmation hearing.
   • Any motion requiring an order shortening time or requesting an expedited setting.
     An application for an order shortening time is required before a hearing will be set.
     Emergency motions will only be set after judicial review. Once Judge Houser has reviewed the motion/application, the courtroom deputy will telephone the movant with the hearing date.
     NOTE: Parties requesting expedited settings must also submit the "expedited motion" form on our court's website @www.txnb.uscourts.gov (form BTXN146)
   • Motions for reconsideration of a previous court order.
     Motions will be set for hearing.
   • Chapter 13 motions (other than motions for relief from stay).
     Parties shall contact Tom Powers at 214-855-9200. Note: Settings must comply with Ch. 13 Office procedures and requirements. You may also obtain setting information on their website at www.13network.com
   • Motions in a designated complex Chapter 11

     Bankruptcy Terminology

     chapter 11: A reorganization bankruptcy, usually involving a corporation or partnership. (A chapter 11 debtor usually proposes a plan of reorganization to keep its business alive and pay creditors over time. People in business or individuals can also seek relief in chapter 11.) case.
   • Motions for Summary Judgment
   • Motion by Defendant

     Bankruptcy Terminology

     defendant: An individual (or business) against whom a lawsuit is filed. to Dismiss Adversary under Rule 12
   • Motion to Withdraw the Reference
   • Motion for Remand or Abstain
3. Procedure
   • In order to utilize the self-calendaring procedure, counsel should select an available date and time as shown on the calendar of available hearing settings. The lists of available dates will be regularly updated and posted on the bulletin board outside the Clerk's office and on the court's website at www.txnb.uscourts.gov. The date(s) selected must be no earlier than the notice time set by applicable national and local rules, as this self-calendaring procedure does not alter notice requirements.

   • After selecting an available date and time, counsel shall serve proper notice of the matter in accordance with applicable rules.

     NOTE: If a motion for relief from stay is set by a party in accordance with the self-calendaring procedure more than 30 days after the date the motion is filed, the court deems that the party has waived the 30-day limitation established by 11.U.S.C. Sec. 362(e) and will enter an order to that effect if requested by debtor

     Bankruptcy Terminology

     debtor: A person who has filed a petition for relief under the bankruptcy laws. .
   • No later than one day after selecting an available date and time, counsel shall file all appropriate papers with the court with the hearing date and time on the face of the pleading.
   • Once a motion is set using the self-calendaring procedure and notice served on interested parties, continuances may only be granted by motion and court order.
   • Counsel should not request a confirmation call back from the courtroom deputy to confirm that the motion has been placed on the court's calendar. Counsel desiring this confirmation should review the published calendar on the court's website three business days after the filing of the motion.
   • Failure to comply with the foregoing procedures will result in the matter not being placed on the court's calendar.

NOTE: Occasionally there may be instances where self-calendared motion are rescheduled possibly due to docket congestion or unforeseen schedule changes. In these instances, the courtroom deputy will contact counsel for the movant, as soon as possible, so that a notice of rescheduled hearing may be issued and served.

Viola Salcido, Courtroom Deputy to Judge Houser
bjh_settings@txnb.uscourts.gov
Telephone: (214) 753-2059

NOTE: Unless otherwise noted, all hearings should be noticed for 14th Floor, Courtroom #2 in Dallas.

1. Preliminary hearings on Motions for Relief from Stay (all chapters)
   Note: Motions to Extend the Automatic Stay

   Bankruptcy Terminology

   automatic stay: An injunction that automatically stops lawsuits, foreclosure, garnishments, and all collection activity against the debtor the moment a bankruptcy petition is filed. may not be set on this docket. Use a self-calendaring date or contact Courtroom Deputy for setting
    

   Motions filed between	Preliminary Hearing date
   Oct 12 - Oct 18	Nov 3 @1:30
   Oct 19 - Oct 25	Nov 10 @11:00 - TO BE HEARD BY JUDGE HALE
   Oct 26 - Nov 1	Nov 24 @1:15
   Nov 2 - Nov 8	Dec 1 @1:30
   Nov 9 - Nov 15	Dec 8 @1:15
   Nov 16 - Nov 22	Dec 8 @1:15
   Nov 23 - Nov 29	Dec 22 @1:15

    

2. Motions that comply with the self-calendaring requirements may be set on the following dates:

   November 25, 2009 @1:15 p.m.
   December 16, 2009 @1:15 p.m.
   December 29, 2009 @3:15 p.m.
   

3. Trial Docket Call

   2009
   Trial Docket Call & Trial Dates for 2009 @1:15 p.m.
   Trial Docket Call	Trial Date
   January 6	The week of January 12
   February 3	The week of February 9
   March 3	The week of March 9
   April 7	The week of April 13
   May 5	The week of May 11
   June 2	The Week of June 8
   July 7	The week of July 13
   August 4	The week of August 10
   September 1	The week of September 7
   October 6	The week of October 12
   November 3	The week of November 9
   December 1	The week of December 7

   2010
   Trial Docket Call & Trial Dates for 2010 @1:15 p.m.
   Trial Docket Call	Trial Date
   January 5	The week of January 11
   February 2	The week of February 8
   March 2	The week of March 8
   April 6	The week of April 12
   May 4	The week of May 10
   June 1	The Week of June 7
   July 6	The week of July 12
   August 3	The week of August 9
   September 7	The week of September 13
   October 5	The week of October 11
   November 2	The week of November 8
   December 7	The week of December 13