You are here

RULE 1001-1

INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL STATEMENT OF ADOPTION AND APPLICATION OF LOCAL RULES

  1. The title of these rules is "Local Rules, United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Florida." They may be cited in citation sentences as ”Bankr. N.D. Fla. Loc. R. [number]" or “N.D. Fla. LBR [number]."
  2. These rules (“Local Rule(s)”) shall apply in all bankruptcy cases, including contested matters and adversary proceedings, to the extent applicable and to the extent not inconsistent with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (“Civil Rule(s)”) and the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (“Bankruptcy Rule(s)”). For cause, on motion of a party in interest or sua sponte, the Court may direct that one or more provisions of these rules not apply in a case, matter, or proceeding.
  3. The Local Rules of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida (“District Local Rule(s)”) shall apply in all bankruptcy cases, including contested matters and adversary proceedings, to the extent applicable and to the extent not inconsistent with the Civil Rules, Bankruptcy Rules, and these Local Rules.
  4. Definitions: The terms "Court," "Clerk," and "Judge," when those appear in applicable District Local Rules, shall mean the Bankruptcy Court, Bankruptcy Clerk, and Bankruptcy Judge, respectively, unless inconsistent with the language or meaning of the particular District Local Rule.
  5. The term “self-represented” shall mean an individual that represents him or herself in court without an attorney having appeared on his or her behalf. The term “pro se,” as may be used in any other set of applicable rules, is synonymous with “self-represented.”
  6. The terms “paper” and “document,” except where referring to documents produced in discovery, should be interpreted synonymously in these Local Rules. The terms are intended to include pleadings, motions, forms, or any other type of document filed with the Court, regardless of whether filed in paper or by electronic means.
  7. National “Official Forms” can be found at http://www.uscourts.gov/forms/bankruptcy-forms/. “Local Forms,” as well as a link to the Official Forms referenced in these Local Rules, can be found at www.flnb.uscourts.gov. 

 

Advisory Committee Notes
2023 Amendment

The amended rule includes stylistic changes and a substantive change. New subdivision (F) clarifies that the terms “papers” and “documents” are to be considered synonymous when referring to documents filed in a case or proceeding. New subdivision (F) is not intended to change the accepted meaning of any rule that uses either term. Other stylistic changes refer to applicable forms and the Local Rules link page that provides links to various Official Forms and Local Forms referenced throughout.

2020 Amendment

The amended rule includes both stylistic and substantive changes. The format of subdivisions is changed to maintain a consistent style across all rules. Former subdivision B. is combined with former subdivision C. into new subdivision (B) and later subdivisions are correspondingly renumbered. Naming conventions for the various applicable procedural rules are added for convenience throughout these rules. New subdivision (E) is added to reflect a transition from the latin term pro se to a more readable counterpart. The definition of this term is not intended to effect any change in the substantive law, including the prohibition on corporations proceeding without counsel. See, e.g., Palazzo v. Gulf Oil Corp., 764 F.2d 1381, 1385 (11th Cir. 1985). New subdivision (F) is added to differentiate between local and national forms throughout these rules.