United States Bankruptcy Court
Middle District of Florida

Amendments to Local Rules 2025

Local Rule 1001-2 Case Management and Electronic Case Filing System – CM/ECF

The amendment revises section (b) to delete the provision regarding CM/ECF training and to add that parties must register with PACER to become Electronic Filing Users. Section (c)(1) is updated to reflect the current procedure for registering for CM/ECF. Section (i) is deleted as proof of service is adequately addressed in Local Rule 9013-3

Local Rule 1071-1 Divisions – Bankruptcy Court

The amendment revises section (c) to clarify that the Court does not assign cases to Divisions. Instead, it is the responsibility of the debtor or petitioning creditors to file a petition in the appropriate Division. Other changes are stylistic.

Local Rule 2014-1 Employment of Special Counsel in Consumer Protection Cases

This new rule incorporates provisions of Administrative Order FLMB-2019-3 Governing Retention of Special Counsel in Consumer Protection Cases. The new rule supersedes and replaces the administrative order, and the administrative order will be archived.

Local Rule 2016-1 Compensation of Estate Professionals

The amendment changes the rule’s title (formerly titled Compensation of Professionals) and updates section (c)(2)(A) to conform with current procedures for filing fee applications in Chapter 11 cases.

Local Rule 2090-1 Attorneys – Admission to Practice and Pro Hac Vice Admission

The amendment revises section (c)(1) to specify what information is required in a motion to appear pro hac vice. Other changes are stylistic.

Local Rule 3020-1 Chapter 11 – Confirmation

The amendment adds new section (d) requiring that the plan proponent file and serve a notice of effective date within seven days of the effective date of the plan. Other changes are stylistic.

Local Rule 4001-1 Automatic Stay

The amendment revises section (a) to state that motions to extend or impose the automatic stay must be filed using the Court's mandatory form motion. The amendment also revises section (c)(6)(A) to add that if a case is dismissed while a motion for sanctions arising from alleged violations of the automatic stay is scheduled for hearing, the Court will retain jurisdiction over that issue, and the dismissal order will not deny the motion or cancel the hearing. The amendment also adds new section (d) incorporating provisions of Administrative Order FLMB-2020-5 Regarding Modification of the Automatic Stay in Connection with Forbearance Agreements. This amendment supersedes and replaces the administrative order, and the administrative order will be archived. Other changes are stylistic.

Local Rule 4008-1 Reaffirmation Agreements

The amendment adds new section (i) incorporating provisions of Administrative Order FLMB-2015-9 Granting Relief from Discharge Injunction to Enter into Agreement to Refinance or Modify Debtor Secured by Lien on Homestead. This amendment supersedes and replaces the administrative order, and the administrative order will be archived. Other changes are stylistic.

Local Rule 7001-1 Adversary Proceedings – Procedures

The amendment revises (k)(4) to conform the rule to the Court’s Negative Notice and Accompanying Orders Lists regarding motions related to discovery in certain circumstances. Other changes are stylistic.

Local Rule 7055-2 Judgments by Default

The amendment revises section (a) to make it consistent with Local Rule 7001-1(f) regarding the deadline for filing motions for default. Other changes are stylistic.

Local Rule 8003-2 Dismissal of Appeals

The amendment retitles and renumbers the rule (formerly Local Rule 8002-1 Dismissal of Untimely Appeals) and expands it to include provisions of the District Court's Amended General Order Establishing Protocols for Processing Bankruptcy Appeals entered on October 29, 2024, which includes provisions that allow the Bankruptcy Court to dismiss untimely appeals, appeals that are filed without the filing fee, and appeals in which the appellant fails to timely file the designation of record and statement of issues on appeal. The amendment also adds a provision 3 that an aggrieved party has the right to request District Court review of the Bankruptcy Court’s dismissal order within 14 days.

Local Rule 9027-1 Removal/Remand

The amendment revises sections (a) and (b) to require a removing party to file a copy of the state court docket with the notice of removal (as opposed to the entire record) and to file operative pleadings, substantive rulings, and any pending motions and responses as separate docket entries within seven days of filing the notice of removal. New section (c) sets a 14-day deadline for filing memoranda in response to motions pending in the state court at the time of removal. New section (d) provides that motions for remand must be filed within 30 days after removal.

Local Rule 9070-1 Filing and Exchange of Exhibits; Objections to the Admissibility of Exhibits

The amendment reorganizes and retitles the rule (formerly titled Exhibits). The revised rule eliminates obsolete provisions, including the requirement to use Exhibit Cover Sheets, and removes provisions regarding the procedure for using exhibits at trial which are included in new Local Rule 9070-2 Use of Exhibits at Trial.

Local Rule 9070-2 Use of Exhibits at Trial

This new rule incorporates and expands on the provisions of the current Local Rule 9070-1(c) regarding copies of exhibits and preparation and use of witness binders at trial. Section (b) lists the specific requirements for witness binders..