UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
FORT WORTH DIVISION
SELF-CALENDARING PROCEDURE

The Northern District will permit counsel to utilize a self-calendaring procedure for the scheduling of matters requiring 30 minutes or less of court time. 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 Nelms 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 matters relating to Chapter 13 main cases (scheduled for pre-hearing before the Standing Chapter 13

     Bankruptcy Terminology

     chapter 13: The chapter of the Bankruptcy Code providing for adjustment of debts of an individual with regular income. (Chapter 13 allows a debtor to keep property and pay debts over time, usually three to five years.) Trustee

     Bankruptcy Terminology

     trustee: The representative of the bankruptcy estate who exercises statutory powers, principally for the benefit of the unsecured creditors, under the general supervision of the court and the direct supervision of the United States trustee or Bankruptcy Administrator. )
   • Chapter 7 and 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.) general matters (such as motions to sell property, motions to dismiss case, objections to claims, etc.)
   • Non-discovery motions in adversary proceedings (such as motions for default judgment, opposed motions for continuance of trial, etc.)
   • Matters in 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.) cases
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 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 matter 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 Nelms has reviewed the application, the courtroom deputy will contact the movant with the hearing date.
   • Motions to reconsider a previous court order
     Motions to Reconsider will be set only after judicial review, if the court deems a hearing is necessary.
3. Procedure
   1. o 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.

   2. 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. .
   3. o No later than one day after service, counsel shall file all appropriate papers with the court. Counsel must file a notice of hearing, or the matter will not appear on the Court's calendar.
   4. Once a matter is set using the self-calendaring procedure and notice served on interested parties, continuances may only be granted by motion and court order.
   5. Counsel need not request confirmation callbacks from the courtroom deputy to confirm that matters have been placed on the calendar. Counsel desiring this confirmation should review the published calendar on the court's website seventy-two (72) hours after the filing of the pleading.
   6. 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 matters 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.

JUDGE RUSSELL F. NELMS

Jana McCrory, Courtroom Deputy to Judge Nelms
rfn_settings@txnb.uscourts.gov
Telephone: (817) 333-6036

NOTE: Unless otherwise noted, all hearings should be noticed for Room 204, U.S. Courthouse 501 W. Tenth Street, Fort Worth, Texas

1. Preliminary hearings on Motions for Relief from Stay (all chapters) will generally be heard on designated Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.

   Motions Filed Between	Preliminary Hearing Date
   August 21, 2008 – August 31, 2008	September 17, 2008 at 9:30 am
   September 1, 2008 – September 7, 2008	September 23, 2008 at 9:30 am - Tuesday
   September 8, 2008 – September 20, 2008	October 8, 2008 at 9:30 am
   September 21, 2008 – September 29, 2008	October 15, 2008 at 9:30 am
   September 30, 2008 – October 6, 2008	October 22, 2008 at 9:30 am
   October 7, 2008 – October 12, 2008	October 28, 2008 at 9:30 am - Tuesday
   October 13, 2008 – October 26, 2008	November 12, 2008 at 9:30 am
   October 27, 2008 – November 6, 2008	November 26, 2008 at 9:30 am
   November 7, 2008 – November 17, 2008	December 3, 2008 at 9:30 am
   November 18, 2008 – November 30, 2008	December 17, 2008 at 9:30 am

    

2. Motions to Extend/Impose Stay will be heard at 9:30 a.m. on the dates listed above unless otherwise scheduled by the Court.

3. All matters relating to Chapter 13 main cases (except motions for relief from stay) should be noticed for pre-hearing conference with the Chapter 13

   Bankruptcy Terminology

   chapter 13: The chapter of the Bankruptcy Code providing for adjustment of debts of an individual with regular income. (Chapter 13 allows a debtor to keep property and pay debts over time, usually three to five years.) Trustee

   Bankruptcy Terminology

   trustee: The representative of the bankruptcy estate who exercises statutory powers, principally for the benefit of the unsecured creditors, under the general supervision of the court and the direct supervision of the United States trustee or Bankruptcy Administrator. , Tim Truman.

   NOTE: All matters shall be noticed for a pre-hearing conference at 6851 N.E. Loop 820, 2nd Floor, North Richland Hills, TX 76180. Please obtain pre-hearing conference dates from the Chapter 13

   Bankruptcy Terminology

   chapter 13: The chapter of the Bankruptcy Code providing for adjustment of debts of an individual with regular income. (Chapter 13 allows a debtor to keep property and pay debts over time, usually three to five years.) Trustee

   Bankruptcy Terminology

   trustee: The representative of the bankruptcy estate who exercises statutory powers, principally for the benefit of the unsecured creditors, under the general supervision of the court and the direct supervision of the United States trustee or Bankruptcy Administrator. 's website at:

   www.13network.com

4. Chapter 7 and 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.) general matters (such as motions to sell property, motions to dismiss case, objections to claims, etc.) will generally be heard at 9:30 a.m. on:
   August 25, 2008
   September 29, 2008
   October 27, 2008
   November 24, 2008
   December 15, 2008
   

For settings in 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.) cases, please refer to the order granting complex treatment in the case for specific hearing dates and times or visit the court's website.

Trial Docket Call Dates

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