United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Puerto Rico
About This Court
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Puerto Rico operates as a unit of the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico within the First Circuit. The court has jurisdiction over all bankruptcy cases filed in Puerto Rico, administering proceedings under Title 11 of the United States Code, including Chapter 7 liquidations, Chapter 11 reorganizations, Chapter 12 family farmer and fisherman cases, and Chapter 13 individual debt adjustment cases.
Puerto Rico constitutes a single bankruptcy district, and the court handles cases arising from the island's unique economic landscape, including a significant volume of consumer bankruptcy filings and complex municipal and corporate restructurings. The court gained substantial prominence as a result of proceedings related to Puerto Rico's public debt crisis and the Title III cases filed under the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA), which, while distinct from standard bankruptcy cases, were heard in the District Court with close involvement of the bankruptcy framework.
The court conducts proceedings in both English and Spanish, reflecting the bilingual character of Puerto Rico, and follows the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure as well as its own local rules.
Handles cases filed under the federal Bankruptcy Code within the jurisdiction of the District of Puerto Rico. Bankruptcy judges are appointed by the court of appeals for 14-year terms. Proceedings are governed by the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure.
Caseload
The court handles a high volume of consumer bankruptcy filings relative to the population, along with significant commercial cases tied to Puerto Rico's economic conditions. The district has also been associated with large-scale debt restructuring matters connected to the Commonwealth's fiscal crisis.
Bar Admission
Attorneys must be admitted to the bar of the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico to practice before the bankruptcy court. Admission to the Puerto Rico bar or another state bar, along with compliance with local admission requirements, is generally required.
Clerk's Office
Clementina Celebrates Munoz Marin Federal Building, 300 Recinto Sur Street, San Juan, PR 00901
(787) 977-6000
Local Rules
The Local Rules of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Puerto Rico, which supplement the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. See the court's official website for the authoritative text.