Until further notice, the court will conduct all hearings by telephone, unless specifically ordered otherwise. Additionally, the court is requiring all persons to be by telephone; in-person appearances are allowed only if specifically ordered. The judges will likely reschedule pending evidentiary hearings that are not time sensitive. But the order also authorizes the taking of evidence by telephone or video conference, and the judges may conduct evidentiary hearings, especially more routine ones, by telephone. The court is also posting a modified notice for motions to continue the stay that provide for a telephonic evidentiary hearing. This new notice should be used while the court is operating under the COVID-19 plan.

Also, most court and clerk’s office staff will be teleworking. Counsel and parties who seek information about or relief from the court on specific matters, including rescheduling hearings, should make their inquiries and requests in writing, either by letter or motion. Persons making telephonic inquiries of the Clerk or court staff, about scheduling hearings or otherwise, should be prepared to leave a message; staff will be monitoring voicemails and will endeavor to act on them as soon as practical under the circumstances. The clerk’s office will remain open during regular business hours.

The court is discontinuing operation of the help desk until further notice. And all Lou Jones events scheduled for before June 1, 2020, are canceled.

Dated: March 16, 2020