Reappointment of Incumbent Federal Public Defender in the Middle District of Florida at Orlando - December 15 , 2011

» Click here to read the notice

Elimination of BNC notice of meetings of creditors to debtors' attorneys - December 12 , 2011

On December 5, 2011, the court began operations under Bankruptcy CM/ECF Release 4.2. Release 4.2 will support an additional noticing-related improvement provided by the court’s Bankruptcy Noticing Center (BNC) contractor.

Previously, you received the notice of 341 meeting of creditors by Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) with the debtor's redacted Social Security Number (SSN), and by U.S. Mail through the BNC with the debtor’s full SSN. The improvement provided with CM/ECF Release 4.2 will allow the BNC to send you an email containing a secure hyperlink to the unredacted 341 notice in place of a paper notice. The BNC will send one summary email per day containing hyperlinks to one or more notices. Each hyperlink provides one free look to the full notice. You will no longer receive the paper 341 notice from the BNC.

A sample BNC email notification is provided at the following web page: http://ebn.uscourts.gov/documents/Attorney341Email.pdf

Important information regarding Trailer Bridge Inc. case - November 22, 2011

» Click here to read the announcement

Universal Login Form for Florida Bankruptcy Courts - November 1 , 2011

In a recent PACER assessment, CM/ECF users nationwide expressed their desire to reduce the number of logins and passwords they need to retain in order to access the different courts in which they are registered users. While we are unable to do anything nationally at this time, the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida have taken steps to address this issue and have collaborated to develop a new, easy to remember login structure that will allow users to have the same login and password for all three courts.

This is a voluntary option for attorneys registered to practice in two or more of the Florida Bankruptcy Courts.

Should you wish to have the same password in all three courts, you may change your password by logging into the individual court’s CM/ECF programs and changing your password through the Utilities menu. More specific instructions will be provided to you when you are assigned your new login ID.

It should be noted that the CM/ECF systems in each court are not linked and therefore you will still be required to log into each district separately to perform any filing function in the individual districts, however, we hope the use of the same login and password structure is a step toward making CM/ECF usage easier. Additionally, the universal login assigned to you is only for access to the Florida Bankruptcy Court CM/ECF systems. This process will not change your login and/or password to the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Middle or Southern Districts of Florida or any other U.S. Bankruptcy or U.S. District Court in which you may be registered.
To submit your request, please click the link below to complete the form.

» Please click here to complete the form

Free PACER Training Site - November 1 , 2011

A free-of-charge website offers access to a training database through the judiciary’s PACER service. The site features data from real cases in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York over a six-month period in 2007. The training site can be accessed via “Frequently Used” on the PACER website home page, www.pacer.gov. No registration is required, and a login and password are posted on the training site’s Welcome Page.

Users can search the database to find cases to explore. As searches are conducted, a transaction receipt display will explain what charge would have been accrued for the PACER service. Reviewing the receipts will help users understand their PACER charges and improve their search techniques to minimize charges.

Electronic Public Access fee increase effective April 1, 2012 - October 6, 2011

Effective April 1, 2012, the Electronic Public Access fee will increase from $.08 to $.10 per page for electronic public access to court records thru the PACER service. The quarterly exemption will be raised from $10 to $15. Implementation of the fee increase for local, state and federal agencies will be suspended for 3 years.

For more information, visit www.pacer.gov

Declaration Under Penalty of Perjury for Electronic Filing form update - October 3 , 2011

Please note that the form “Declaration Under Penalty of Perjury for Electronic Filing” has been updated to be in compliance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1746.

» Click here for the updated form

Updated Census Bureau Median Family Income figures to occur on October 14. - October 3 , 2011

» Click here to read the entire announcement

District Court Order regarding conditions applicable to using Internet - September 24, 2011

Policy governing limited personal use of supplied broadband wireless internet connection for registered courtroom users.

» Click here to read the Order

Proposed Rule Amendments Published for Public Comment - September 19, 2011

The Judicial Conference Advisory Committees on the Appellate, Bankruptcy, Civil, Criminal, and Evidence Rules have proposed amendments to their respective rules and requested that the proposals be circulated to the bench, bar, and public for comment. The public comment period ends on February 15, 2012.

New Calendaring Program - Effective Wednesday, September 21, 2011 for Tampa Division - September 2 , 2011

The Tampa Division will begin its transition to a new calendaring system called CHAP on Wednesday, September 21, 2011. The Orlando Division made the transition in September, 2010 and the Jacksonville Divisions is to follow later. While the new system offers some efficiencies and improvements in the calendaring arena, it is not anticipated that external users will notice a difference when viewing the Judge's calendars from our website.

Amendments to Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and Bankruptcy Forms - Effective December 1, 2011* - August 31, 2011

• Bankruptcy Rule 1004.2 (republication of a new rule requiring entity filing a chapter 15 petition to state the country of the debtor's main interest, filer to list each country in which a case involving debtor is pending, and setting deadline for challenging the statement asserting the country of the debtor's main interest)

• Bankruptcy Rule 2003 (requires the filing of a statement upon adjourning a meeting of creditors or equity security holders)

• Bankruptcy Rule 2019 (expands the scope of the rule’s disclosure requirements by requiring disclosure in chapter 9 and chapter 11 cases by all committees or groups that consist of more than one creditor or equity security holder, as well as entities or that represent more than one creditor or equity security holder. It also authorizes the court to require disclosure by an individual party in interest when knowledge of that party’s economic stake in the debtor would assist the court in evaluating the party’s arguments)

• Bankruptcy Rule 3001 (prescribes in greater detail the supporting information required to accompany certain proofs of claim)

• Bankruptcy Rule 3002.1 (new rule implements § 1322(b)(5) of the Bankruptcy Code, which permits a chapter 13 debtor to cure a default and maintain payments of a home mortgage)

• Bankruptcy Rule 4004 (permits a party under limited circumstances to seek an extension of time to object to a debtor’s discharge after the time for objecting has expired)

• Bankruptcy Rule 6003 (clarifies that the requirement of a 21-day waiting period before a court can enter certain orders at the beginning of a case, including an order approving employment of counsel, does not prevent the court from specifying an effective date for the order that is earlier than the date of its issuance)

• Bankruptcy Form 1 (implements new Bankruptcy Rule 1004.2)

• Bankruptcy Forms 9A - 9I (conforming amendments to the pending amendment of Bankruptcy Rule 2003(e))

• Bankruptcy Form 10, Attachment A and Supplements 1 and 2 (clarify that, consistent with Rule 3001(c), writings supporting a claim or evidencing perfection of a security interest - not just summaries - must be attached to the proof of claim)

• Bankruptcy Form 25A (changes the effective date consistent with 2009 time-computation rules amendments)

* On April 26, 2011, the Supreme Court approved the amendments to the above-referenced rules, formerly approved by the Judicial Conference at its September 2010 session. The rules amendments were transmitted to Congress in accordance with the Rules Enabling Act. They are scheduled to take effect on December 1, 2011, and shall govern in all proceedings in bankruptcy cases thereafter commenced and, insofar as just and practicable, all proceedings then pending, unless Congress enacts legislation to the contrary.

» Link to Amendments to Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure

» Information Regarding Supreme Court Approved Rule Amendments (April 26, 2011)

» Pending Changes in the Bankruptcy Forms

The Honorable Karen S. Jennemann appointed Chief Bankruptcy Judge - August 24, 2011

The Honorable Karen S. Jennemann was appointed Chief Bankruptcy Judge for the United States Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida, for a four-year term effective October 1, 2011 and continuing through September 30, 2015.

» Click here to read the Order

Closing of the public research room at the Federal Records Center in Atlanta - June 23, 2011

As of July 1, 2011, the Federal Records Center (FRC) in Atlanta will close its public research room. This change will affect members of the public requesting direct access to Court records. The public will no longer be able to view Court records at the FRC.

The Federal Records Center in Atlanta will continue to provide copies of court case files directly to the public via our current fax, mail, and scan order services. The public can learn more about the FRC services by visiting:

» https://eservices.archives.gov/orderonline/start.swe?SWECmd=Start&SWEHo=eservices.archives.gov

In addition, the public can contact the FRC's Court Reference Staff at 404-736-2900 for more information.

Fort Myers Division Cases - June 9 , 2011

Effective June 1, all new cases filed in the Fort Myers Division will be assigned to either Judge Barry S. Schermer or Judge Jeffery P. Hopkins, based on the terminal digit of the case number.

» Click here for more information

Follow the Court on Twitter - May 24, 2011

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida is now using Twitter to broadcast the latest announcements of the Court to the public. Those interested are encouraged to "follow" our tweets by visiting http://twitter.com/floridamiddle on the internet or by signing up on Twitter to have announcements sent directly to your mobile device.

» Click here for more information

Financial literacy resources for all age groups - March 31, 2011

April was designated by Congress as National Financial Literacy Month. The United States Bankruptcy Judges of the Middle District of Florida participated in this annual promotion of financial well-being and invite you to browse the following attachment for acquiring good financial habits.

» Click here to read more about financial literacy resources

Robb & Stucky, Chapter 11 Case - Important information for all interested parties - March 3, 2011

» Click here to read the announcement

Proposed Local Rule 2016-1 (Compensation of Professionals) NOT posted for comment - posted only as a best practice procedure for Tampa/Fort Myers divisions - January 14, 2011

» Click here to read the proposed local rule

Memorandum regarding service of Amended Chapter 13 Plan - Fort Myers only - January 14, 2011

» Click here to read the memorandum

Court website is now available in a Spanish edition - January 13, 2011

The Middle District of Florida is pleased to announce that we are now offering our website in Spanish. Click here to see our Spanish version. An En Español link is also available on the Court's Home page.

NCBJ Announces Blackshear Fellowship Opportunity for Tampa Conference

Below is information about the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges' Honorable Cornelius Blackshear Presidential Fellowship for minority lawyers who practice bankruptcy law. Named after esteemed Bankruptcy Judge Blackshear (now retired) of the Southern District of New York, the fellowship program provides some expense reimbursement for one or more lawyers who wish to attend the annual conference of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges and otherwise meet the selection criteria. The aggregate stipend/scholarship is capped at $2,500 per year and is for the cost of travel and registration for the conference (this year's regular registration fee is $825; the amount is less for government employees). To view the current year's conference agenda, go to www.ncbj.org. The deadline for submitting an application is AUGUST 26th. The application must be faxed to NCBJ NBA Liaison Committee Chair Honorable Jeffery P. Hopkins (fax: 513-357-5420).

Amendments to Bankruptcy Rules Effective December 1, 2010. A brief summary of the coming changes to rules.

Rule Changes:
1007: extends time for individual Chapter 7 debtors to file statement of completion of the personal financial management course. Also shortens time for debtors to file a list of creditors after entry of order for relief in involuntary case.

1014: adds Chapter 15 cases to the rule authorizing courts to determine where cases should proceed when there are multiple petitions for the same debtor.

1015: adds Chapter 15 cases to the rule that authorizes courts to order consolidation or joint administration.

1018: reflects enactment of Chapter 15 in 2005.

1019: provides a new time period (with some exceptions) to object to an exemption claim when a case is converted from Chapter 7 to Chapter 11, 12, or 13.

4001: includes a technical and conforming amendment on computation of time.

4004: includes new deadline for filing of motions (instead of complaints) under Rule 7001(b) to object to debtor’s discharge; directs courts not to grant discharge if motion or complaint objecting to discharge has been filed (unless objection has been decided in debtor’s favor); directs court in Chapter 11 and 13 cases to withhold entry of discharge if debtor has not filed statement of completion of course in personal financial management.

5009: requires clerk to provide notice to debtors in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases that case may be closed if statement of completion of course in personal financial management is not filed. Also now requires a foreign representative in a Chapter 15 to file and give notice of the filing of a final report.

5012: establishes procedures in Chapter 15 for obtaining approval of an agreement regarding communications and coordination of proceedings with cases involving debtor pending in other countries. (Differs from Interim Rule 5012.)

7001: provides that specified objections to a discharge in Chapter 7 and 13 cases are not treated as adversary proceedings.

9001: amended to add words and phrases in §1502 to the list of definitions.

» Click here to read the Amendments to the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure effective December 1, 2010

Chapter 11 Individual Case Administrative Closing Forms - Tampa and Fort Myers

» Debtor's Motion to Administratively Close Individual Chapter 11 Case

» Debtor's Motion to Administratively Reopen Individual Chapter 11 Case to Obtain Discharge and Final Decree

» Order Granting Debtor's Motion to Administratively Close Individual Chapter 11 Case

» Order Granting Debtor's Motion to Administratively Reopen Individual Chapter 11 Case and Directing Response to Request for
Entry of Discharge and Final Decree

Revised Census Bureau Median Income Figures - Effective November 1, 2010

The latest update incorporates the new Census Bureau Median Income figures effective November 1, 2010. For more information, click on the US Department of Justice link. Select the date range "11/01/2010 or After" and click Go

New Calendaring Program - Effective Monday, September 13, 2010 for Orlando Division

The Court will begin its transition to a new calendaring system called CHAP on Monday, September 13, 2010. The Orlando Division will be the first to make the transition with the Tampa/Ft Myers and Jacksonville Divisions to follow later. While the new systems offers some efficiencies and improvements in the calendaring arena, it is not anticipated that external users will notice a difference when viewing the Judge's calendars from our website.

Use of CourtCall for telephonic hearings in the Middle District

Several judges in the Middle District now utilize the telephonic services of CourtCall. The judges who currently use the service are Judge Glenn, Judge Briskman, Judge Funk, Judge Williamson, Judge May, Judge McEwen, and Judge Delano. To view specific policies on the use of CourtCall, please visit the individual judge pages for information.

Digital Audio Files of Proceedings Now Available via PACER

Registered PACER users can now request immediate access to digital audio recordings of court proceedings before Judge Jennemann. Users can download a copy of the digital audio file, share it with their clients, and keep it for future reference or use in drafting orders or other pleadings.

» Click here to read the entire announcement

Effective July 12, the Bankruptcy Noticing Center will not mail notices to a creditor if address is invalid

When a bankruptcy court mails notices to a creditor, the court is required to use the address a debtor provides on its creditor mailing list unless a creditor has provided the court with a different address. The court uses the Bankruptcy Noticing Center ("BNC") to mail notices, but the BNC can only do so if an address is valid. If an address is not valid, the United States Postal Service ("USPS") treats this as sending mail to an "undeliverable address." Reasons for undeliverable mail may include: incomplete address; moved to a foreign address; moved and left no forwarding address; post office box closed; and forwarding order expired. In some instances the USPS will forward mail when a creditor has given the USPS a forwarding address, but only for a limited time. It is up to the debtor or creditor to file a change of address with the court.

» Click here to read the entire announcment

To avoid this issue, Mac users are requested to use the File/Print/PDF/SaveAs sequence, and NOT the File/SaveAs sequence, in order to avoid the problem.

The amended dollar amounts will affect, among other matters, the eligibility of a debtor to file under chapters 12 and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code, certain maximum values of property that the debtor may claim as exempt, the maximum amount of certain claims entitled to priority, the calculation of the “means test” for chapter 7 debtors, the duration of a chapter 13 plan, the definition of a small business debtor, the minimum aggregate value of claims need to commence an involuntary bankruptcy, the value of “luxury goods and services” deemed to be nondischargeable, and where the trustee may commence certain proceedings to recover money judgment or property.

In addition, certain Official Bankruptcy Forms and Director’s Forms contain references to several of the affected dollar amounts and these forms will be amended on April 1, 2010 and apply to cases filed on or after April 1, 2010.

» Click here to read the Administrative Office's memorandum

Fort Myers cases – hearings held in the Tampa division - Chapter 11 cases.
As a result of the increase in the pending caseload in the Ft. Myers Division, Judge Paskay has agreed to entertain a motion to hold a hearing in a pending Chapter 11 case in his courtroom in the Tampa Division, unless the matter involved requires notice to all creditors.

» Click here to read the entire announcement

The following changes to the Local Rules of the Bankruptcy Court of the Middle District of Florida relating to time computation took effect on December 1, 2009: Local Rules 2002-4, 2090-1, 2091-1, 3020-1, 3071-1, 5003-1, 5005-3, 5011-1, 5011-2, 6004-1, 7005-1, 7026-1, 7030-1, 9015-1, 9019-1, 9019-2.

Click here to read the entire announcement regarding time period change

Claims Bar Date for Chapter 11 Cases - Jacksonville Division
Effective with Chapter 11 cases filed in the Jacksonville Division on or after October 15, 2009, a claims bar date will be set forth in the Notice of Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Case, Meeting of Creditors and Deadlines (Section 341 Meeting of Creditors Notice).

Other than for a governmental unit, the Claims Bar Date will be set 90 days following the date first set for the Meeting of Creditors.

Taylor, Bean & Whitaker Mortgage Corp. filed for bankruptcy pursuant to Chapter 11 on August 24, 2009, in the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division and is assigned to The Honorable Jerry A. Funk under case number 3:09-bk-7047.
Read more

Claims Bar Date for Chapter 11 Cases - Tampa and Ft. Myers Divisions.
View announcement

Pilot program for court digital audio recordings
The pilot program has a tentative start date of October 30 that will allow CM/ECF users the ability to listen to digital audio recordings. More information will follow as the date nears.

Public Notice - Local Rule amendments published for public comment.
View notice

Form of order to be used in granting motion to strip second mortgage lien - Tampa and Ft. Myers Divisions.
View order

Amendments to the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy effective December 1, 2008.
Congress has taken no action on the amendments to the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy, Civil, and Criminal Procedure, approved by the Supreme Court on April 23, 2008. Accordingly, amendments to the rules went into effect on December 1, 2008
View amendments

Changes to Judge May's negative notice procedure.
Judge May will no longer consider Motions to Modify Confirmed Chapter 13 Plan's on negative notice. The court will set all such motions for hearing.

Judge McEwen recipient of the 2008 Jimmy Kynes Pro Bono Service Award
View the press release

Changes to Bankruptcy Court Miscellaneous Fee Schedule
On March 11, 2008, the Judicial Conference approved changes to the Bankruptcy Court Miscellaneous Fee Schedule. The changes clarify and simplify the language of thefee items, delete one obsolete fee (and renumber the Schedule accordingly), and make stylistic changes to comport with current editorial standards. There has been no change to any fee amount. The changes to the Bankruptcy Court Miscellaneous Fee Schedule will be effective October 1, 2008.
View entire announcement

Notice of Fraudulent Scheme
The Administrative Office of the United States Courts has been notified by the bankruptcy clerk in Utah of a fraudulent scheme that might be affecting victims throughout the country.
View announcement

Proposed Rules amendments published for public comment
The Judicial Conference Advisory Committees on the Appellate, Bankruptcy, Civil,Criminal, and Evidence Rules have proposed amendments to their respective rules and requestedthat the proposals be circulated to the bench, bar, and public for comment.
View annoucnement

Notice to electronic filers regarding documents filed through CM/ECF after upgrade
Due to a problem after the conversion to CM/ECF version 3.3.1, the feature that links an attorney to a party when making a first appearance on a case was not adding the attorney to the case. Therefore a notice of electronic filing was not sent on some docket entries made between Sunday March 8 and noon on Wednesday March 11, 2009 . The attorneys have since been added to the cases and will receive all future notices of electronic filing on the respective cases.

We advise attorneys to check their cases and if you did not receive a notice of electronic filing from an entry you made as a first appearance on a case during this time, you may view the document through PACER, however you will be charged to do so.

Users of Cogent internet service - issues accessing court websites
Sprint and Cogent announce that they have reached a multi-year interconnection agreement for the purposes of exchanging Internet traffic. This agreement will benefit the customers of both Sprint and Cogent and resolves the earlier dispute to the satisfaction of both parties. The agreement is in accordance with both parties’ previous and long standing interconnection policies and agreements. The specifics of this agreement are confidential."

Between October 30 and November 2, 2008, the courts and the general public experienced a brief disruption in messaging and other services that are dependent on the exchange of Internet traffic between the two Internet Service Providers (ISPs). This ISP agreement ensures that customers will not experience these problems in the future.

Previously, customers lost the ability to access United States Courts websites including CM/ECF. At the time it was recommended that Cogent customers secure another Internet Service Provider to maintain CM/ECF access in the event that Sprint-Nextel severs lost internet connection to Cogent.

Postponement of CM/ECF v3.2 upgrade
The upgrade of CM/ECF to version 3.2, originally scheduled for October 10-13, 2008, was postponed. The postponement is attributed to recent system performance degradation observed in Courts that have already converted to the new version of CM/ECF. The Administrative Office of the United States Courts is working to identify and correct these problems.

A new announcement will be issued once a new conversion date has been set.

The Honorable Caryl E. Delano
The Honorable Caryl E. Delano was appointed as a bankruptcy judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, on June 25, 2008. She graduated from the University of South Florida, B.A., cum laude, in English in 1976. She attended Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis and Emory University School of Law, receiving her J.D. from Indiana University in 1979. Judge Delano practiced before the state and federal courts of California for fourteen years. In 1994, she returned to her hometown of Tampa, Florida, where she most recently practiced law with the firm of Addison & Delano, P.A. She concentrated her practice on bankruptcy and commercial litigation. Judge Delano has represented debtors and creditors in numerous Chapter 11 cases and related adversary proceedings. She is a member of The Florida Bar, The State Bar of California, the Business Law Section of The Florida Bar, the American Bankruptcy Institute, the Federal Bar Association, the Hillsborough County Bar Association, and the Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association.
View the press release

Electronic Public Access Fee Schedule Change
Pursuant to sections 1913, 1914, 1926, 1930, and 1932 of Title 28, United StatesCode, the Judicial Conference, at its March 11, 2008, session, amended the Electronic Public Access (EPA) Fee Schedule for the appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts, the United States Court of Federal Claims, and the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. The fee schedule was amended to eliminate any reference to dial-up access, because the current versions of CM/ECF and PACER no longer provide direct dial-up remote access. The fee schedule change is effective immediately.
View the new EPA Fee Schedule

Information for Electronic Filers with an Electronic Bankruptcy Noticing agreement (EBN)
With the implementation of the Reduced Paper Module (RPM), redundant paper notices stopped being mailed by the Bankruptcy Noticing Center. Many of our electronic filing users have signed up with the noticing center to receive electronic bankruptcy notices instead of paper notices. For more information on EBN, please go to the noticing center's website: https://www.noticingcenter.com. Implementation of RPM also reduced the redundant electronic notices being sent by the noticing center. Electronic filing users should continue to monitor their daily notices of electronic filing (NEF) sent from the court and retrieve hearing notices and orders attached to the NEF.

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROPERLY MAINTAIN YOUR E-MAIL ACCOUNTS IN ORDER TO RECEIVE ALL ELECTRONIC NOTICES TIMELY. ADDITIONALLY, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MONITOR CASE ACTIVITY.

Application to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts for Approval as a Notice Provider
Entities interested in entering into separate arrangements with creditors for delivery services comparable to those provided through the Bankruptcy Noticing Center program's National Creditor Registration Service (NCRS).
View application

Please fax the completed application to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, Bankruptcy Court Administration Division at (202) 502-1511. A list of approved notice providers will be posted on the Judiciary’s public website at www.uscourts.gov. If you have any questions regarding the status of your application, please contact the Bankruptcy Court Administration Division at (202) 502-1540.

Notice of revised Chapter 11 quarterly fee schedule

Amended "means test" forms (22A, 22B, and 22C) effective January 1, 2008

Bankruptcy rules amendments effective December 1, 2007

The proposed amendments to the rules and Official Forms may be accessed by clicking on the link, uscourts.gov/rules/newrules1.htm. The proposed amendments and new rules may also be accessed by clicking on the link titled "Proposed Rules Amendments Published for Comment" in the upper left-hand corner of the screen. The public comment period for the proposed amendments and new rules ends on February 15, 2008.

Attorneys that no longer have interest in a case and request to stop electronic notices
Attorneys who represent a party in a contested matter, either in the bankruptcy case or an adversary proceeding, may file a document stating they have no further interest in the case and request to stop electronic notices. Please note, however, that attorneys who represent the debtor(s), attorneys who have been employed in the case by court order, or attorneys who are representing a client in a pending contested matter are not permitted to withdraw from the case or request to stop electronic notice under this procedure.

To electronically file the notice, attorneys will use docket event "Notice of Withdrawal from Case and Request to Stop Electronic Notice," located under the Notices category in CM/ECF. The attorney must attach a pdf document stating why they no longer want to receive electronic notice in the case. Once the notice is docketed, the clerk's office will review the case docket and take appropriate action to stop electronic notice from being sent to the attorney's email address.

Order establishing presumptively reasonable debtor's attorney fee in Chapter 13 cases

Publication of certain personal data in documents filed with the court - transcript redaction
The judiciary’s privacy policy restricts the publication of certain personal data in documents filed with the court. The policy requires limiting Social Security and financial account numbers to the last four digits, using only initials for the names of minor children, and limiting dates of birth to the year. However, if such information is elicited during testimony or other court proceedings, it will become available to the public when the official transcript is filed at the courthouse unless, and until, it is redacted. The better practice is for you to avoid introducing this information into the record in the first place. Please take this into account when questioning witnesses or making other statements in court. If a restricted item is mentioned in court, you may ask to have it stricken from the record or partially redacted to conform to the privacy policy, or the court may do so on its own motion. Read the entire announcement.

Internet browsers required to meet higher security standards for access to Pay.gov
To insure the highest level of security when performing online transactions, the Treasury requires that you use an Internet browser that supports 128-bit encryption. Encryption protects your information between you and pay.gov by scrambling the information transmitted between two points (between you and Pay.gov).

Lee Ann Bennett appointed Clerk of Bankruptcy Court

Laptop Pilot Program
The Bankruptcy Court of the Middle District of Florida announces the launching of a pilot program to allow certain trustees and attorneys to routinely transport laptop computers into courtrooms. Read the entire announcement.

Important Notice Concerning Privacy Policy
The attached memorandum (OCPB75.PDF) from the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts provides information regarding the Privacy Policy. A good deal of the information contained in the enclosure to the Director's Memorandum is for court use, but you might find it useful to have the copies of the new forms attached. The other attached documents are an abbreviated version of the Director's memorandum, Statement of Social Security number form, Guidelines to Attorneys, and Guidelines to Claim filers.
Director's memorandum
Guidelines to Attorneys
Guidelines to Claim filers
Privacy Policy
Privacy FAQs
Statement of Social Security number form