Local Rule 3017. EXPEDITED CONFIRMATION PROCEDURES; CONDITIONAL APPROVAL OF DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS

(a) Expedited chapter 11 plan confirmation procedures. A motion filed pursuant to this rule may request entry of an order implementing expedited confirmation procedures, including but not limited to:

(1) Early deadlines for submitted plans and disclosure statements;

(2) Conditional approval of disclosure statements without hearing;

(3) Scheduling a combined hearing on the conditionally approved disclosure statement and confirmation of plan; and

(4) Submission of a combined plan and disclosure statement.

(b) Application to all chapter 11 cases. In any chapter 11 case, including small business chapter 11 cases, the court may, on application of the plan proponent or on its own initiative, conditionally approve a disclosure statement.

(c) Procedure for conditional approval. The plan proponent may file an ex parte motion for conditional approval of the disclosure statement seeking a combined hearing on the conditionally approved disclosure statement and confirmation of the plan. The application must be accompanied by the proposed disclosure statement and by a certificate stating: (i) the circumstances that favor the preliminary approval of the disclosure statement; (ii) the total number of creditors, value of assets, and amount of claims as reflected in the debtor's schedules; and (iii) that the proposed disclosure statement contains the information required by the Official Form. The notice of the combined hearing on the conditionally approved disclosure statement and confirmation of the plan must clearly provide that creditors and parties in interest may object to the conditionally approved disclosure statement as permitted by Fed. R. Bankr. P. 3017.1, at the combined hearing.

(d) Non-small business cases. Except as otherwise provided herein, Fed. R. Bankr. P. 3017.1 applies to all non-small business cases.