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Court Coronavirus (COVID-19) News and Updates

All orders regarding the COVID-19 pandemic have expired and should not be referenced in filings.  Please follow each individual judge’s procedures.

 

  • Effective September 1, 2023, there will be no drop box in the Rochester office.  Parties may still go to the front counter during normal business hours, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., or send items or payments via U.S. mail or other carrier.

 

  • 3/29/2023 - An updated Administrative Order regarding proceedings before Chief Judge Bucki, Judge Warren and Judge Kaplan has been signed. Among other things, the order allows in-person or telephonic appearances for Judge Bucki matters only; for matters before Judge Warren or Judge Kaplan, the Court will only allow telephonic appearances (unless otherwise ordered) for the duration of the order, which is effective through May 11, 2023. The order also contains the information for accessing the telephone conference system.

 

  • 2/27/2023 - Matters now scheduled before Judge Bucki in Mayville, NY on April 26, 2023 and May 4, 2023, will instead be heard telephonically only, at the same time and date. See the Case Management Order for further information.

 

  • 2/27/2023 - Matters now scheduled before Judge Bucki in Olean, NY on March 24, 2023 and April 28, 2023, will instead be heard telephonically only, at the same time and date. See the Case Management Order for further information.

 

  • 12/22/2022 - An updated Administrative Order regarding proceedings before Chief Judge Bucki, Judge Warren and Judge Kaplan has been signed. Among other things, the order allows in-person or telephonic appearances for Judge Bucki matters only; for matters before Judge Warren or Judge Kaplan, the Court will only allow telephonic appearances (unless otherwise ordered) for the duration of the order, which is effective through March 31, 2023. The order also contains the information for accessing the telephone conference system.

 

  • 12/22/2022 - Matters now scheduled before Judge Bucki in Mayville, NY on January 5, 2023, February 2, 2023, and March 2, 2023, will instead be heard telephonically only, at the same time and date. See the Case Management Order for further information.

 

  • 12/22/2022 - Matters now scheduled before Judge Bucki in Olean, NY on January 27, 2023 and February 24, 2023 will instead be heard telephonically only, at the same time and date. See the Case Management Order for further information.

 

  • 10/31/2022 - An updated Administrative Order regarding proceedings before Chief Judge Bucki, Judge Warren and Judge Kaplan has been signed. Among other things, the order allows in-person or telephonic appearances for Judge Bucki matters only; for matters before Judge Warren or Judge Kaplan, the Court will only allow telephonic appearances (unless otherwise ordered) for the duration of the order, which is effective through December 31, 2022. The order also contains the information for accessing the telephone conference system.

 

  • 9/27/2022 - An updated Administrative Order regarding proceedings before Chief Judge Bucki, Judge Warren and Judge Kaplan has been signed. Among other things, the order directs that the Court will only allow telephonic appearances (unless otherwise ordered) for the duration of the order, which is effective through October 31, 2022. The order also contains the information for accessing the telephone conference system.

 

  • 9/13/2022 - Matters now scheduled before Judge Bucki in Olean, NY on September 23, 2022, will instead be heard telephonically only, at the same time and date. See the Case Management Order for further information.

 

  • 9/13/2022 - Matters now scheduled before Judge Bucki in Mayville, NY on October 6, 2022 will instead be heard telephonically only, at the same time and date. See the Case Management Order for further information.

 

  • 7/29/2022 - The United States District Court for the Western District of New York has adopted General Order #159 (dated 7/29/22), which eliminates the requirement that visitors to this District’s courthouses undergo a temperature scan and makes it permissive for court security officers or the United States Marshals Service to question such visitors regarding whether they meet enumerated criteria for restricting entry.

 

  • 7/27/2022 - An updated Administrative Order regarding proceedings before Chief Judge Bucki, Judge Warren and Judge Kaplan has been signed. Among other things, the order directs that the Court will only allow telephonic appearances (unless otherwise ordered) for the duration of the order, which is effective through September 30, 2022. The order also contains the information for accessing the telephone conference system.

 

  • 7/27/2022 - Matters now scheduled before Judge Bucki in Mayville, NY on September 1, 2022, will instead be heard telephonically only, at the same time and date. See the Case Management Order for further information.

 

  • 7/27/2022 - Matters now scheduled before Judge Bucki in Olean, NY on August 26, 2022, will instead be heard telephonically only, at the same time and date. See the Case Management Order for further information.

 

  • 7/7/2022 - Matters now scheduled before Judge Bucki in Mayville, NY on August 4, 2022 will instead be heard telephonically only, at the same time and date. See the Case Management Order for further information.

 

  • 4/28/2022 - An updated Administrative Order regarding proceedings before Chief Judge Bucki, Judge Warren and Judge Kaplan has been signed. Among other things the order directs that the Court will only allow telephonic appearances (unless otherwise ordered) for the duration of the order, which is effective through August 1, 2022. The order also contains the information for accessing the telephone conference system.

 

  • 4/28/2022 - Matters now scheduled before Judge Bucki in Olean, NY on May 27, 2022, June 24, 2022, and July 22, 2022  will instead be heard telephonically only, at the same time and date. See the Case Management Order for further information. 

 

  •  4/28/2022 - Matters now scheduled before Judge Bucki in Mayville, NY on June 2, 2022 and July 7, 2022 will instead be heard telephonically only, at the same time and date. See the Case Management Order for further information.

 

  • 3/1/2022 - The United States District Court for the Western District of New York has adopted General Order #155 (dated 3/1/22), which vacates the provisions of General Order #149 which had required all individuals to wear masks while in the common area of any courthouse.  General Order #155 also includes COVID-related directives for visitor restrictions in all courthouses. 

 

  • 2/24/2022 - An updated Administrative Order regarding proceedings before Chief Judge Bucki, Judge Warren and Judge Kaplan has been signed. Among other things the order directs that the Court will only allow telephonic appearances (unless otherwise ordered) for the duration of the order, which is effective through May 1, 2022. The order also contains the information for accessing the telephone conference system.

 

  • 2/24/2022 - Matters now scheduled before Judge Bucki in Olean, NY on March 25, 2022 and April 29, 2022 will instead be heard telephonically only, at the same time and date. See the Case Management Order for further information.

 

  • 2/24/2022 - Matters now scheduled before Judge Bucki in Mayville, NY on April 7, 2022 and May 5, 2022 will instead be heard telephonically only, at the same time and date. See the Case Management Order for further information.

 

  • 12/2/2021  - Matters now scheduled before Judge Bucki in Mayville, NY on January 6, 2022 , February 3, 2022 and March 3, 2022 will instead be heard telephonically only, at the same time and date. See the Case Management Order for further information, including updated information for accessing the telephone conference system.

 

  • ​​​​​​11/30/2021 - An updated Administrative Order regarding proceedings before Chief Judge Bucki, Judge Warren and Judge Kaplan has been signed. Among other things the order directs that the Court will only allow telephonic appearances (unless otherwise ordered) for the duration of the order, which is effective through February 28, 2022. The order also contains updated information for accessing the telephone conference system, which become effective December 1, 2021 for Judge Warren, and December 6, 2021 for Judge Bucki and Judge Kaplan.

 

  • 11/22/2021 - Matters now scheduled before Judge Bucki in Olean, NY on December 22, 2021, January 28, 2022 and February 25, 2022 will instead be heard telephonically only, at the same time and date. See the Case Management Order for further information.

 

  • 9/9/2021 - An updated Administrative Order regarding proceedings before Chief Judge Bucki, Judge Warren and Judge Kaplan has been signed. Among other things the order directs that the Court will only allow telephonic appearances (unless otherwise ordered) for the duration of the order, which is effective through November 30, 2021. The order also contains the information for accessing the telephone conference system.

 

  • 9/9/2021 - Matters now scheduled before Judge Bucki in Mayville, NY on October 7, 2021, November 4, 2021 and December 2, 2021 will instead be heard telephonically only, at the same time and date. See the Case Management Order for further information.

 

  • 9/9/2021 - Matters now scheduled before Judge Bucki in Olean, NY on October 29, 2021 and November 19, 2021 will instead be heard telephonically only, at the same time and date. See the Case Management Order for further information.

 

  • 8/3/2021 - The United States District Court for the Western District of New York has adopted General Order #149 (dated 8/3/21), regarding Visitor Restrictions during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Effective August 4, 2021, pursuant to this Order, all persons entering either Robert H. Jackson U.S. Courthouse (Buffalo) or Kenneth B. Keating Courthouse (Rochester) will be required to wear masks in any public space, regardless of vaccination status. General Order #149 supersedes the “Visitors Restrictions” section of General Order #148, which was issued on July 14, 2021.

 

  • 7/14/2021 - The United States District Court for the Western District of New York has adopted General Order #148 (dated 7/14/21), regarding Court Operations and Access during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Please note in the General Order the directives regarding visitor restrictions and the use of PPEs in all courthouses in the District as a result of the continuing pandemic. This General Order is effective through October 12, 2021 and supersedes other general orders.

 

  • 6/22/2021  - An updated Administrative Order regarding proceedings before Chief Judge Bucki, Judge Warren and Judge Kaplan has been signed. Among other things the order directs that the Court will only allow telephonic appearances (unless otherwise ordered) for the duration of the order, which is effective through September 15, 2021. The order also contains the information for accessing the telephone conference system.

 

  • 6/18/2021  – Matters now scheduled before Judge Bucki in Mayville, NY on July 1, 2021, August 5, 2021 and September 2, 2021 will instead be heard telephonically only, at the same time and date. See the  Case Management Order for further information .

 

  • 6/18/2021  – Matters now scheduled before Judge Bucki in Olean, NY on July 23, 2021 and September 24, 2021 will instead be heard telephonically only, at the same time and date. See the  Case Management Order for further information.

 

  • 5/26/2021 – Effective June 1, 2021, the United States District Court for the Western District of New York has adopted General Order #147, which modifies General Order #146 (dated 4/23/2021) with regard to face coverings/masks.  The Order now allows vaccinated individuals, in certain circumstances, to have the option to wear or not wear a mask or face covering.  Visitors must be willing to share proof of vaccine status either through a recognized vaccination card or the NYS Excelsior Pass.  Please note that, per Bankruptcy Court Administrative Orders, Case Management Orders and/or Notices on individual Bankruptcy case dockets, matters in the Bankruptcy Court are still being conducted telephonically, unless otherwise directed by the Court.   

 

  • 5/3/2021 - Effective May 3, 2021, the Buffalo office only will resume accepting cash as a method of payment for Court fees.  Cash is never accepted in the Rochester Office, or in the drop box in either office.  Please click on Fee Information under the Court Info tab for other forms of payment. 

 

  • 4/26/2021 - The United States District Court for the Western District of New York has issued an updated general order (4/23/2021) regarding Court Operations and Access during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Please note in the General Order the visitor restrictions and the use of PPEs in all courthouses in the District as a result of the continuing pandemic. This General Order is effective through July 14, 2021 and supersedes other general orders.

 

  • 4/1/2020 - PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING REGARDING THE CLERK’S OFFICE:

    The front counters in both the Buffalo and Rochester offices will resume regular hours effective APRIL 1, 2021: 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. each business day, unless otherwise posted. As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, we continue to strongly recommend that you CALL the Clerk’s Office in Buffalo at 716-362-3200 or in Rochester at 585-613-4200 before coming to the office.

    While you are encouraged to go to the front counter to submit your documents and/or to make payments, a drop box will remain available in both offices for the public to submit documents: in the lobby of the Robert H. Jackson Courthouse in Buffalo and on the 6th floor of the Keating Federal Building in Rochester. Payments and remittance of funds in the form of checks and money orders are also accepted by drop box on all business days.

    See the bullet point below from 12/7/2020 regarding additional payment information.

 

  • 3/19/2021 - An updated Administrative Order regarding proceedings before Chief Judge Bucki, Judge Warren and Judge Kaplan has been signed. Among other things the order directs that the Court will only allow telephonic appearances for the duration of the order, which is effective through June 30, 2021. The order also contains the information for accessing the telephone conference system.

 

  • 3/19/2021 – Matters now scheduled before Judge Bucki in Mayville, NY on April 1, 2021, May 6, 2021 and June 3, 2021 will instead be heard telephonically only, at the same time and date. See the Case Management Order for further information.

 

  • 3/19/2021 – Matters now scheduled before Judge Bucki on May 28, 2021 in Olean, NY will instead be heard telephonically only, at the same time and date. See the Case Management Order for further information.

 

  • 2/24/2021 - The United States District Court for the Western District of New York has issued an updated general order (2/24/2021) regarding Court Operations and Access during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Please note in the General Order the visitor restrictions and the use of PPEs in all courthouses in the District as a result of the continuing pandemic. This General Order is effective through April 23, 2021 and supersedes other general orders.

 

  • 12/16/2020 - An updated Administrative Order regarding proceedings before Chief Judge Bucki, Judge Warren and Judge Kaplan has been signed. Among other things the order directs that the Court will only allow telephonic appearances for the duration of the order, which is effective through March 31, 2021. The order also contains the information for accessing the telephone conference system.

 

  • 12/16/2020 – Matters now scheduled before Judge Bucki in Mayville, NY on January 7, 2021, February 4, 2021, and March 4, 2021 will instead be heard telephonically only, at the same time and date. See the Case Management Order for further information.

 

  • 12/16/2020 – Matters now scheduled before Judge Bucki on January 22, 2021 and March 26, 2021 in Olean, NY will instead be heard telephonically only, at the same time and date. See the Case Management Order for further information

 

  • 12/9/2020 – PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING REGARDING THE CLERK’S OFFICE:

    The front counters in both the Buffalo and Rochester offices are open each business day with REDUCED HOURS of 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., unless otherwise posted. As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, we continue to strongly recommend that you CALL the Clerk’s Office in Buffalo at 716-362-3200 or in Rochester at 585-613-4200 before coming to the office.

    A drop box is available in both offices for the public to submit documents: in the lobby of the Robert H. Jackson Courthouse in Buffalo and on the 6th floor of the Keating Federal Building in Rochester. Payments and remittance of funds in the form of checks and money orders are also accepted by drop box on all business days.

    If filing a new case, time sensitive document, or if you have questions about how to file a document, please call the Clerk’s Office. The Clerk’s Office remains available for phone calls during regular business hours.

 

  • 12/8/2020 - The United States District Court for the Western District of New York has issued an updated general order (12/8/2020) regarding Court Operations and Access during COVID-19 Pandemic. Please note in the General Order the visitor restrictions and the use of PPEs in all courthouses in the District as a result of the COVID-19 virus continuing to spread throughout New York State. This General Order is effective through February 24, 2021 and supersedes other general orders.

 

  • 12/7/2020 -  Effective December  7, 2020, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court will temporarily suspend accepting cash as payment for Court fees in the Buffalo office.  Cash is never accepted in the Rochester office, or in the drop box in either office.  Please click on Fee Information under the Court Info tab for other forms of payment.  This will remain in effect until further notice.

 

  • 11/23/2020  – The Clerk’s Office in Buffalo and Rochester remain open during regular business hours.  However, due to the continuing nature of the pandemic, you are strongly encouraged to contact the Clerk’s Office before attempting to visit the building in either city.

 

  • 10/30/2020 - An updated Administrative Order regarding proceedings before Chief Judge Bucki, Judge Warren and Judge Kaplan has been signed. Among other things the order directs that the Court will only allow telephonic appearances for the duration of the order, which is effective through December 31, 2020. The order also contains the information for accessing the telephone conference system.

 

  • 10/30/2020 – Matters now scheduled before Judge Bucki in Mayville, NY on November 5, 2020, December 3, 2020 and January 7, 2021 will instead be heard telephonically only, at the same time and date. See the Case Management Order for further information.

 

  • 8/25/2020 – Matters now scheduled before Judge Bucki on September 25, 2020 and November 20, 2020 in Olean, NY will instead be heard telephonically only, at the same time and date. See the Case Management Order for further information.

 

  • 6/29/2020 – PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING REGARDING THE CLERK’S OFFICE:
    The front counters in both the Buffalo and Rochester offices are open each business day from 8:00 a.m.to 4:30 p.m., unless otherwise posted. As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, we continue to recommend that you CALL the Clerk’s Office in Buffalo at 716-362-3200 or in Rochester at 585-613-4200 before coming to the office.

    A drop box is available in both offices for the public to submit documents: in the lobby of the Robert H. Jackson Courthouse in Buffalo and on the 6th floor of the Keating Federal Building in Rochester. Payments and remittance of funds in the form of checks and money orders are also accepted by drop box on all business days.

    If filing a new case, time sensitive document, or if you have questions about how to file a document, please call the Clerk’s Office.

    Cash is only accepted at the front counter in the Buffalo Clerk’s Office. It is not accepted in the drop box in either office and it is not accepted at the front counter in Rochester. Please click on Fee information under the Court Info tab for other forms of payment.

 

  • 5/27/2020 - Matters now scheduled before Judge Bucki on June 4, 2020 and July 2, 2020 in Mayville, NY will instead be heard telephonically only at the same date and time. See the Case Management Order for further information.

 

  • 5/21/2020 – Matters now scheduled before Judge Bucki on May 29, 2020 in Olean, NY will instead be heard telephonically only at the same date and time. See the Case Management Order for further information.

 

  • 5/7/2020 - Revised Call-in Instructions - Judge Warren is conducting all weekly Motion Terms, Chapter 13 Confirmation Hearings, and any other Discrete Hearings and Conferences in both Buffalo and Rochester by telephone conference only.

    The recording or broadcasting of any hearing is prohibited.

    See Judge Warren’s Case Management Order for further information.

        

  • 4/3/2020 - Please see the Administrative Order Regarding Certain Deadlines and Notices, signed by Chief Judge Bucki on April 3, 2020, for important information that may affect your bankruptcy case.

 

 

  • 3/17/2020 - As a reminder to attorneys registered to e-file who need certificates or certified copies of court documents, please consider using the Request for Clerk’s Certificate or Certified Copy of Document form which is found on the Court’s website under NYW Procedural Forms within the Forms tab.   Once completed, the e-filer dockets the request for Court services form as Bankruptcy>Other>Request for Certificate/Certified Copy, and payment is made on-line through Pay.gov.  Upon receipt of payment, the Court will mail your requested document(s) to you.