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Canceling a Hearing

Canceling a Hearing

Owned by Brandon Fuller
Last updated: Feb 19, 2025 by Jonathan Hess
4 min read

 

Inevitably, there will be times when you need to cancel a hearing that has been posted to Docketly. On this page, we will showcase:

  • How to manually cancel a hearing

  • How to cancel hearings via EDI automation

  • How to select the correct cancelation reason

  • And best practices related to the Cancelation Policy

How to Manually Cancel a Hearing

From your Docketly Home page, navigate to the hearing you’d like to cancel by using the search bar or by reviewing the “Hearings” page.

Once you’ve found the hearing you’d like to cancel, click on the locator under the “Locator” column.

This will take you to the Hearing Overview Page, at the top of which you can find the “Cancel Hearing” button.

To help Docketly understand the reason for your cancellation and improve our service, please select from the provided list of options.

Your feedback will assist our team in better supporting you and enhancing the experience for all customers in future hearings.

Finally, click button “Yes, Cancel Hearing” button.

If the process was successful, you’ll see a red banner at the top of the page with the time stamp of the cancelation

 

Canceling Hearings via EDI Automation

Customers using Docketly’s EDI automation can easily cancel hearings through the same system they use to create them.

Full instructions are available here, but here’s a quick summary:

  1. Create a CSV file with the following columns:

    • locator

    • fileNumber

    • canceledReason

  2. Enter the hearings to cancel by listing either the locator or file number and providing a cancellation reason in the canceledReason column.

  3. Save and upload the file:

    • Rename the file by adding “CANCEL_” to the beginning of the file name.

    • Place the file in the same SFTP folder used for hearing creation.

Within 15 minutes, our system will process the file, cancel the listed hearings, and send you a confirmation email.

 

How to Select the Correct Cancelation Reason

While there can be some nuance in the ultimate reason why you select a specific cancelation reason, below are short definitions to help you pinpoint the best “reason” to select

  • Continued – The hearing has been postponed to a later date, typically at the request of one or both parties.

  • Dismissed – The case has been formally closed by the court, either voluntarily by the plaintiff or due to a ruling in favor of the defendant.

  • Rescheduled – The hearing date has been changed and will take place at another time.

  • Vacated – The scheduled hearing has been removed from the court’s calendar, usually because it is no longer necessary.

  • No Service – The defendant was not properly served ahead of the hearing date, making it impossible for the case to proceed.

  • Paid in Full – The outstanding debt or claim has been fully satisfied, making the hearing unnecessary.

  • Found Coverage – The firm has found alternate Appearance Counsel outside of Docketly.

  • In-House Counsel Attending – The firm has assigned this hearing to their In-House Counsel and no longer requires Appearance Counsel.

  • Weather Closure – The court has closed due to severe weather conditions, forcing the hearing to be canceled or postponed.

If none of the above selections apply, please enter a succinct explanation of why the hearing is being canceled.

 

Cancelation Policy Best Practices

Review the full cancellation policy here, but here’s a quick summary of key points to keep in mind when canceling a hearing:

  1. More than 24 hours before the hearing = No cancellation fee, regardless of coverage status.

  2. Within 24 hours of the hearing (and covered) = A 50% fee applies.

  3. Morning of the hearing (and covered) = A 100% fee applies.

Fee exceptions are listed in the full Cancellation Policy document.

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