Bankruptcy News

1. Funds Available for Additional Chapter 7 Trustee Payments for FY 2024 Cases

   The Department of Justice has advised the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts that it has funds available to transfer to the Judiciary to make additional payments to eligible Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustees for fiscal year 2024.

2. Judge John D. Bates Receives 2025 Devitt Award

   Judge John D. Bates, of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, is the 2025 recipient of the Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award.

3. Bankruptcy Filings Increase 10.6 Percent

   Personal and business bankruptcy filings increased 10.6 percent in the twelve-month period ending Sept. 30, 2025, compared with the previous year.

4. Judiciary Funding Runs Out; Only Limited Operations to Continue

   The judicial branch announced that beginning on Monday, Oct. 20, it will no longer have funding to sustain full, paid operations.

5. Chief Justice Names Conference Committee Chairs

   Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., has named five new chairs of Judicial Conference committees and extended the term of five current chairs by one year.

6. Judiciary Still Operating as Shutdown Starts

   Despite a federal government shutdown that began on Oct. 1, the Judiciary remains open and will continue paid operations through Friday, Oct. 17, by using court fee balances and other funds not dependent on a new appropriation.

7. Judiciary Budget Crisis Could Worsen, Conference Is Told

   The Judiciary’s funding shortfalls could get worse in the coming year, and the effects would be especially severe if federal courts must operate under another full-year continuing resolution, the Judiciary’s policy-making body was told.

8. National Initiative Opens Doors to Next Generation of Court Professionals

   Federal judges are introducing young people to the Judiciary and sparking their interest in a range of careers in the courts – beyond the roles of judges and lawyers – through a national initiative called Open Doors to Careers in the Courts. A new video shows the approach, which starts with students visiting courthouses to interact with court professionals and experience the job functions that keep the wheels of justice turning.

9. New Supreme Court Fellows Begin Term

   Four new U.S. Supreme Court Fellows are set to begin their 2025-2026 fellowships in September.

10. Law Students Guide Tomorrow’s Leaders in Novel Civics Initiative

    When U.S. District Judge Richard W. Story observed a nationwide trend showing that a troubling percentage of citizens are unaware of their rights and the role of the Judiciary, he decided to take action to address this civics deficit.