The Local Rules Committee is seeking feedback on proposed changes to the Local Rules. (hyperlink to attachment). Please submit any comments on or before December 3, 2026. A brief summary of the proposed revisions follows.

Local Rule 1001-1 (Short Title; Scope of Rules; Construction): move subsection on supplements to rules to new subsection; add reference to individual procedures and policies of judges

Local Rule 3011-1 (Unclaimed Funds): substitute physical mailing address of court for P.O. Box; add new subsection on withdrawal of application for unclaimed funds, prohibiting withdrawal if an objection has been filed or the court has set the application for hearing (unless otherwise ordered by the court)

Local Rule 4001-2 (Cash Collateral): remove reference to next day mail in subsection on notice of preliminary hearing

Local Rule 4008-1 (Reaffirmation): remove subsections (a) and (b), regarding attorney certification with respect to obligations secured by personal property and supporting documentation

Local Rule 9013-1 (Motion Practice): amend deadline for brief or memorandum of law in opposition to a motion from earlier of 21 days after service of the motion or 7 business days prior to any hearing to 14 days after service of the motion or 3 business days prior to any hearing

Local Rule 9014-1 (Contested Matters): remove references to Local Rule 9013-1 and Rule 611 of the Federal Rules of Evidence

Local Rule 9019-2 (Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)):

• revise subsection on report of mediator to eliminate deadline tied to receipt of copy of formal agreement; add that report to disclose the total compensation of the mediator to be paid by the bankruptcy estate;
• revise subsection on compensation of mediator to add that, if one or more parties to the mediation is a representative of the bankruptcy estate, compensation of the mediator is authorized to be paid by the representative of the bankruptcy estate without further order of the court, but remains subject to review and potential disgorgement;
• add subsection on consensual mediation, with duties imposed on parties and mediator if any of mediator’s compensation may be attributable to the bankruptcy estate; similarly provide for authorization of payment of compensation of mediator by representative of estate