COMMITTEE ON RULES OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
OF THE
JUDICIAL CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED STATES

August 1999


TO THE BENCH, BAR, AND PUBLIC:

The Judicial Conference Advisory Committees on the Bankruptcy and Civil Rules have proposed amendments to the federal rules and requested that the proposals be circulated to the bench, bar, and public for comment. The committee notes explain the proposals. (The proposed amendments are posted at <www.uscourts.gov>.)

We request that all suggestions and comments, whether favorable, adverse, or otherwise, be placed in the hands of the Secretary as soon as convenient and, in any event, no later than February 15, 2000. All communications on the rules should be addressed to the Secretary of the Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure, Administrative Office of the United States Courts, Washington, D.C. 20544. As part of a two-year pilot project, comments may be sent electronically via the Internet at <www.uscourts.gov>.

To provide persons and organizations wishing an opportunity to comment orally on the proposed amendments, hearings are scheduled to be held on the amendments to the Bankruptcy Rules in Washington, D.C. on January 18, 2000, and on the amendments to the Civil Rules in Washington, D.C. on January 20, 2000.

Those wishing to testify should contact the Secretary of the Committee at the above address at least 30 days before the hearing. The advisory committees will review all timely received comments and will take a fresh look at the proposals in light of the comments. If an advisory committee approves a proposal, it and any revisions as well as a summary of all comments received from the public will then be considered by the Standing Committee. All comments are made part of the official record and are available for public inspection.

The Judicial Conference Standing Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure has not approved these proposals, except to authorize their publication for comment. The proposed amendments have not been submitted to or considered by the Judicial Conference of the United States or the Supreme Court.
 
 
Anthony J. Scirica
Chair
Peter G. McCabe 
Secretary