NOTICE IN ALL CIVIL AND CRIMINAL MATTERS PENDING BEFORE

JUDGE SUSAN ILLSTON OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

 FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

MARCH 19, 2020 

In light of the current public health emergency caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Court issues the following Notice with the aim of balancing public health and safety concerns, including minimizing the risk of exposure, with the need for scheduling certainty and having matters proceed regularly. 

This Notice remains in effect until May 1, 2020 and may be extended by the Court.

Counsel are directed to review General Order No. 72 https://cand.uscourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/general-orders/GO_72_3-16-2020.pdf

TO ALL LITIGANTS IN CIVIL CASES CURRENTLY PENDING BEFORE THE HONORABLE SUSAN ILLSTON:

1.  Case Management Conferences:  All Case Management Conferences shall be held telephonically on Fridays at 1 pm for initial CMCs and 1:30 pm for all other CMCs.  No requests for telephonic appearance are required for CMCs during the effective period of this Notice.  Three days prior to the CMC, counsel shall notify the Courtroom Deputy Teddy Van Ness of who will be on the conference call and their contact information. The Courtroom Deputy will then provide instructions regarding whether the Court will initiate the call from chambers (for CMCs with fewer than 3 participants) or conference call information (for CMCs with 3 or more participants).

2.  Law and Motion Scheduled for April 2020:  All Law and Motion matters currently set for hearing between April 3-30, 2020, will be submitted on the papers.  Any hearing set on the Court’s calendar in a civil case during the effective period shall be vacated.  If the Court determines that oral argument is necessary, the Court will issue a notice to the parties setting a telephonic hearing. 

3.  New Motions:  Parties shall not notice any new motion hearings prior to May 8, 2020.  Parties may file a motion without a noticed hearing date, in which case the matter will be deemed submitted upon the filing of the reply brief unless otherwise ordered by the Court.  Alternatively, parties may choose to notice their hearing for a hearing on May 8 or after. 

4.  Requests for Continuances and Extensions:  The Court will be liberal in granting reasonable requests for continuances or extensions of briefing deadlines based on circumstances related to COVID-19.  As in all cases, parties seeking a continuance should attempt to present their request to the Court via a stipulation and proposed order.

TO ALL LITIGANTS IN CRIMINAL CASES CURRENTLY PENDING BEFORE THE HONORABLE SUSAN ILLSTON:

Judge Illston’s criminal calendar will continue to be called on a regular basis (Fridays at 11 am).  For criminal in-custody appearances, counsel are encouraged to confer as to whether a continuance or waiver of defendant’s personal presence is appropriate.  Counsel may direct any questions or requests for other accommodations to Judge Illston’s Courtroom Deputy, Teddy Van Ness.