Vol. 36, Number 6—June 2004

Public Education Needed on Bankruptcy System and Fiscal Management

The Judicial Conference Committee on the Administration of the Bankruptcy System has endorsed public outreach as a mission of the bankruptcy courts as a way "to further the work of the courts through increasing respect for the institution, potentially lowering the volume of case filings, and enabling more informed and effective use of legal procedures and services."

In a resolution passed at its recent meeting, the committee recognized the importance of widespread knowledge about wise financial management and of the bankruptcy system.

The committee noted that members of the bankruptcy system already are highly active in a wide variety of public outreach activities, which focus on educating the public about the need for wise financial management and spreading information about bankruptcy law and courts.

"Members of the bankruptcy community," the resolution read in part, "possess a unique perspective on the need for sound financial management and the manner in which the bankruptcy system functions."

Among the bankruptcy education programs that have emerged in recent years are programs developed by Chief Bankruptcy Judge John Ninfo II in the Western District of New York, Judge Carol Kenner of the District of Massachusetts and Judge Niles Jackson in the Western District of Oklahoma. Judge Thomas Stinnett in the Eastern District of Tennessee and Judge Lief Clark of the Western District of Texas have developed educational programs with, respectively, the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges and the American Bankruptcy Institute. The Administrative Office is developing a program with a credit management component to familiarize high school students with the bankruptcy court system. Bankruptcy judges also participate in programs outside the federal Judiciary.

Through the resolution, the committee "hereby encourages members of the bankruptcy system to develop and participate in programs offering the general public, members of the bar, law students, debtors who have or are considering filing for bankruptcy, and any other individuals or organizations desiring such information, education about the need for wise financial management, the bankruptcy courts and the laws they administer."