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Judiciary News

Bankruptcy Filings Drop 12 Percent in Fiscal Year 2013

October 24, 2013

Bankruptcy cases filed in federal courts for fiscal year 2013—the 12-month period ending September 30, 2013—totaled 1,107,699, down 12 percent from the 1,261,140 bankruptcy cases filed in FY 2012, according to statistics released today by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.

2012 Report Shows More Repeat Bankruptcy Filers

October 22, 2013

During calendar year 2012, 1.1 million bankruptcy petitions were filed by individuals with primarily consumer debt. Filers had a median average monthly income of $2,743, most filed under chapter 7, and for more debtors in 2012 this was not the first time they had filed for bankruptcy.

Ninth Circuit Seats First All-Alaskan Appellate Panel

October 18, 2013
All-Alaskan appellate panel, left to right: Senior Circuit Judge Andrew J. Kleinfeld of Fairbanks, Circuit Judge Morgan Christen of Anchorage, and Senior District Judge John W. Sedwick, of Anchorage.

The luck of the draw produced the first All-Alaskan appellate panel in the Ninth Circuit this month. Senior Circuit Judge Andrew J. Kleinfeld of Fairbanks, Circuit Judge Morgan Christen of Anchorage, and Senior District Judge John W. Sedwick, also of Anchorage, (photo left to right) sat as a panel on October 11th to hear oral arguments at the Richard H. Chambers U.S. Court of Appeals Building in Pasadena, California.

Update: Judiciary to Operate Through October 18, 2013

October 10, 2013

The Judiciary will remain open for business through October 18, 2013. When no funding mechanism was in place on October 1, 2013, the Judiciary projected that fee income and no-year appropriated funds would enable court operations to continue for ten business days.

Shutdown, Holdup for the Courts

October 7, 2013

The federal courts may be open during the government shutdown, but it’s far from “business as usual.” According to a Department of Justice memo, U.S. Attorneys across the country have been directed to “curtail or postpone” civil litigation.

Terms Begin for New Conference Committee Chairs

October 4, 2013

Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. has named five new Judicial Conference committee chairs and extended the terms of four current Conference committee chairs. The new appointments became effective October 1, 2013.

Seminar on Short Trial Program Scheduled for Nevada Federal Court

October 2, 2013

The U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada will hold a CLE seminar on its new short trial pilot program on October 9. The pilot promises an expedited trial —both early and short—in civil cases. Short trial rules (pdf) control the length of the trial, including restrictions on discovery, the use of smaller juries, and time limits for presentation of evidence.

Judiciary Open During Government Shutdown

September 26, 2013

Following a government shutdown on October 1, 2013, the federal Judiciary will remain open for business for approximately 10 business days. On or around October 15, 2013, the Judiciary will reassess its situation and provide further guidance.

Conference Approves Additional Cost-Saving Measures

September 17, 2013

At its biannual meeting, the Judicial Conference approved the latest in a series of cost-cutting measures. Conference actions continue the Judiciary's decade-long cost-containment efforts that have become increasingly aggressive as sequestration triggered broad cuts in court staff and programs.

Judiciary Appeals to President Obama on Funding

September 12, 2013

In a September 10 letter, the Judiciary has appealed to President Obama for the funding necessary in fiscal year 2014 to perform its essential constitutional functions. Without it, the federal courts face additional reductions in staff and services that will severely affect individuals and businesses seeking to resolve disputes.

Quiz Yourself: The U.S. Constitution

September 12, 2013
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Americans celebrate the U.S. Constitution on September 17 each year. Test your knowledge about our nation’s most historic and influential document.