(a) Scope of Plan. The Civil Appeals Management Plan (CAMP) applies to all civil appeals, petitions for review, and applications for enforcement. But CAMP does not apply to proceedings in which at least one party appears pro se, matters initially placed on the court’s Non-Argument Calendar, petitions for writs of mandamus or prohibition, and habeas corpus cases and proceedings under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, unless the court orders otherwise.

(b) Office of Staff Counsel. Upon docketing a case, the clerk refers a CAMP-eligible case to the Office of Staff Counsel for review. Staff counsel may recommend to the clerk the entry of orders governing the case.

(c) CAMP Conference. Staff counsel may direct counsel for the parties to participate in a conference to explore the possibility of settlement, narrow the issues, and discuss any matters that may expedite disposition of the appeal.

(1) Counsel’s Preparation. Before a CAMP conference, counsel must consult with the client and obtain as much authority as feasible to settle the case, and must be prepared to discuss in depth the legal, factual and procedural issues of the case.

(2) Client Participation. Counsel should participate in a conference without the client, unless staff counsel permits or requests otherwise. During the conference, the client must be available by telephone.

(3) Conference Location. At the discretion of staff counsel, the conference may be held in person at the offices of staff counsel, or may be conducted by telephone or video.

(4) Survey. After the conclusion of a CAMP proceeding, counsel for each party must complete the anonymous Post-Conference Survey and submit it electronically to this court’s Director of Legal Affairs at campsurvey@ca2.uscourts.gov.

(d) Referral to CAMP. At any time during the pendency of any case (including those not within CAMP’s scope as described in (a)), the parties may request or the court may determine to refer the case to CAMP for any purpose consistent with this rule.

(e) Confidentiality. Information shared during a CAMP proceeding is confidential and is not included in court files or disclosed to the judges of this court except to the extent disclosed by an order entered as a result of a CAMP proceeding. The attorneys and other participants are prohibited from disclosing what is said in a CAMP proceeding to anyone other than clients, principals or co-counsel, and then, only upon receiving due assurance that the recipient will honor confidentiality.

(f) Grievance Procedure. Any complaint regarding the handling of any CAMP proceeding must be submitted to the chief judge of the court.

(g) Non-Compliance Sanctions. The court may, after affording notice and an opportunity to be heard, impose sanctions on an attorney or party who does not participate in good faith in the CAMP program.

<< Return to Rules | Local Rules | Title VII. General Provisions | Local Rule 33.1

Last modified at 12/15/2010