CHICAGO - The judge overseeing Detroit's bankruptcy case released a schedule Monday that sets hearings through June to consider the city's effort to shed its debts and move out of Chapter 9.
A key hearing on the city's confirmation plan will be held on June 16.
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes posted the schedule three days after the city filed its plan for debt adjustment and disclosure statement with the court Friday.
"Nothing herein excuses any party from the continuing obligation to participate in good faith in any mediation," Rhodes wrote in the order. "Further, the court again strongly encourages all parties to negotiate with full intensity and vigor with a view toward resolving their disputes regarding the treatment of claims in the city's plan of adjustment."
Creditors have until March 28 to file objections to the city's plans. That's the date on which depositions on objections may begin.
As he did on the eligibility issue, Rhodes will divide challenges into those that are legal objections and those that are factual, and consider the issues at two separate trials.
The city has until April 4 to file a combined response to all of the objections.
A status hearing on the plan is set for April 14. Rhodes that day will also hear objections to the disclosure statement.
Legal objections to the plan of adjustment will be heard on April 28.
A final pre-trial conference has been set for June 11. A trial on the factual objections to the city's plan begins on June 16. He set aside nine additional days throughout June for the trial if necessary.
