In compliance with the revised policy, effective September 22, 2023, of the Judicial Conference of the United States concerning the public’s remote access to civil and bankruptcy proceedings, hearings before Judge Paek will be conducted as set forth below. Information about the Judicial Conference’s policy can be found here.

Applicability of these Procedures. The procedures described below are of general application and are not meant as limitations on other rules that may be applicable and that may limit access to proceedings or to portions of proceedings, including 11 U.S.C. § 107, Rule 9018 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, and Rule 615 of the Federal Rules of Evidence.

Courtroom Access. The courtroom will be open to all parties, parties in interest, and the public for access to all hearings and trials, including access in the courtroom to testimony and/or argument that is presented either remotely or in person.

Remote Access to Non-Evidentiary Hearings

• Attorneys who represent parties in non-evidentiary hearings, conferences, and other routine matters may participate in such matters by remote video access through Zoom for Government, unless the Court directs otherwise.

• A debtor, creditor or other party in interest may also obtain remote video access through Zoom for Government, but members of the public (including the media) may only obtain remote audio access through Zoom for Government.

• All persons using Zoom for Government must register their appearances through the eCourt Appearance tool on the Court’s website at https://www.nysb.uscourts.gov/ecourt-appearances by 4:00 p.m. two business days before the scheduled hearing. A guide for using Zoom for Government is available here.

• Pursuant to Local Bankruptcy Rule 5073-1, the taking of photographs, use of recording devices, and broadcasting from the courtroom or its environs is strictly prohibited. This prohibition applies with equal force to individuals joining a hearing remotely via Zoom for Government or otherwise.

Evidentiary Hearings and Trials. Evidentiary hearings and trials will be held in person in Judge Paek's courtroom unless the Court orders otherwise. Ordinarily, the participants to an evidentiary hearing or trial will be expected to be present in the courtroom. For cause shown, however, including under Rule 43(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure where applicable, the Court may authorize that a particular hearing or trial, or a portion thereof, be made accessible via remote means for parties, their attorneys, witnesses, and interpreters.

First Day Hearings. Due to the exigencies often associated with first day hearings in Chapter 11 cases, unless the Court orders otherwise, such hearings will be conducted from Judge Paek's courtroom in a hybrid format that will permit either in-person attendance or remote participation via Zoom for Government. Any person wishing to attend the first day hearing remotely must register their appearance using the eCourt Appearance tool, which is available here, when possible by 4:00 p.m. the day before the hearing, and no later than one hour before the scheduled hearing time. Pursuant to the Judicial Conference’s remote access policy, public attendees, including members of the media, may receive remote audio access only to the portions of the first day hearing not involving live witness testimony.