United States Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania

3rd Circuit Scranton, Pennsylvania

About This Court

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania is a unit of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and operates within the Third Circuit. The court has jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases filed by individuals and businesses located within the Middle District, which spans a broad swath of central and northeastern Pennsylvania, including areas such as Harrisburg, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Williamsport.

The district covers a geographically diverse region that includes both urban centers and rural communities. Cases filed in this court are governed by Title 11 of the United States Code and the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, as supplemented by the court's local rules.

The court handles all chapters of bankruptcy, including Chapter 7 liquidations, Chapter 11 reorganizations, and Chapter 13 individual debt adjustment cases. It serves a mix of consumer and business debtors reflecting the varied economic character of the district.

Handles cases filed under the federal Bankruptcy Code within the jurisdiction of the Middle District of Pennsylvania. 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 processes a significant volume of consumer bankruptcy filings, particularly Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases, reflecting the demographics of central and northeastern Pennsylvania. Business reorganization cases under Chapter 11 are also filed in this district.

Bar Admission

Attorneys must be admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania to appear in the bankruptcy court. Admission to the bankruptcy court bar generally requires good standing membership in the bar of any United States District Court.

Clerk's Office

197 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701

(570) 831-2500

Local Rules

103 local rules extracted from this court's published rules. See the court's official website for the authoritative text.

Civil Rules 11

Rule	Title
Rule 7002-1	District Court Rules.
Rule 7003-1	Adversary Proceeding Cover Sheet.
Rule 7005-1	Filing of Discovery Materials.
Rule 7007-1	Motions in Adversary Proceedings.
Rule 7016-1	Pre-Trial Procedure.
Rule 7021-1	Misjoinder and Non-Joinder of Parties.
Rule 7041-1	Notice of Dismissal of Adversary Proceeding.
Rule 7055-1	Default - Failure to Prosecute.
Rule 7055-2	Order of Default.
Rule 7056-1	Summary Judgment - Applicability of Local Rule 56.1.
Rule 7067-1	Registry Funds.

General Rules 84

Rule	Title
Rule 1001-1	Local Rules - General.
Rule 1002-1	Petition - General.
Rule 1006-1	Fees - Installment Payments and Waiver.
Rule 1007-1	Lists, Schedules, Statements, Plans, and Other Documents.
Rule 1007-2	Mailing List or Matrix.
Rule 1007-3	Summary of Your Assets and Liabilities and Certain Statistical Information.
Rule 1009-1	Amendments to Voluntary Petitions, Lists, Schedules, and Statements.
Rule 1015-1	Joint Administration/Consolidation.
Rule 1017-1	Reinstatement of Dismissed Case.
Rule 1019-1	Final Reports in Cases Converted from Chapter 13 to Chapter 7.
Rule 1071-1	District Boundaries and Divisional Offices.
Rule 1071-2	Assignment of Cases.
Rule 2002-1	Notice to Creditors and Other Interested Parties.
Rule 2003-1	Meeting of Creditors and Equity Security Holders.
Rule 2004-1	Depositions and Examinations.
Rule 2014-1	Employment of Professionals.
Rule 2016-1	Compensation of Professionals.
Rule 2016-2	Compensation of Debtors' Attorneys in Chapter 13 Cases.
Rule 3001-1	Proof of Claim - Service.
Rule 3003-1	Filing Proofs of Claim in Chapter 11 Cases.
Rule 3004-1	Filing of Proofs of Claim by Debtor or Trustee.
Rule 3005-1	Filing of Proofs of Claim by Co-Debtor.
Rule 3006-1	Claims - Withdrawal.
Rule 3007-1	Claims - Objection.
Rule 3010-1	Small Dividends in Chapter 13 Cases.
Rule 3012-1	Determining the Amount of Secured and Priority Claims.
Rule 3015-1	Chapter 13 - Model Plan.
Rule 3015-2	Chapter 12 or Chapter 13 - Amendments to Plans.
Rule 3015-3	Chapter 12 or Chapter 13 - Confirmation Hearing.
Rule 3015-4	Chapter 13 - Adequate Protection Payments.
Rule 3015-5	Chapter 12 and 13 Pre-Discharge Certifications.
Rule 3016-1	Disclosure Statement - General.
Rule 3017-1	Disclosure Statement - Approval.
Rule 3018-1	Service of Ballots and Report of Results of Balloting.
Rule 3019-1	Chapter 11 - Amendments to Plan.
Rule 3020-1	Chapter 11 - Individual Debtor Confirmation.
Rule 3022-1	Final Report/Decree (Chapter 11).
Rule 4001-1	Automatic Stay - Relief from.
Rule 4001-2	Cash Collateral.
Rule 4001-3	Obtaining Credit.
Rule 4001-4	Filing a Motion Seeking to Prohibit or Condition the Use, Sale, or Lease of Property Other Than Cash Collateral.
Rule 4001-5	Motions to Extend the Automatic Stay Under Section 362(c)(3) and Motions to Impose Automatic Stay Under Section 362(c)(4).
Rule 4001-6	Service of Motions under F.R.B.P 4001.
Rule 4003-1	Exemptions.
Rule 4004-1	Motion to Defer Entry of Discharge Order.
Rule 4006-1	Closing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 Cases Without Discharge.
Rule 4008-1	Reaffirmation.
Rule 5001-1	Clerk's Office.
Rule 5004-1	Disqualification.
Rule 5005-1	Filing and Transmittal of Papers.
Rule 5005-2	Time-Stamped Copies.
Rule 5005-3	Filings During Systems Failures.
Rule 5010-1	Reopening Cases.
Rule 5011-1	Withdrawal of Reference.
Rule 6004-1	Use, Sale, or Lease of Property.
Rule 6004-3	Public Sale Bidding Procedures in a Chapter 11 Case.
Rule 6004-4	Special Sale Provisions in a Chapter 11 Case.
Rule 6004-5	Sales of Property Free and Clear of Liens - Section 363(f).
Rule 6005-1	Appraisers, Real Estate Agents, and Auctioneers.
Rule 6006-1	Executory Contracts.
Rule 6007-1	Abandonment or Disposition of Property.
Rule 9001-1	Definitions.
Rule 9003-1	Ex Parte Relief.
Rule 9004-1	Caption of Pleadings.
Rule 9013-1	Motion Practice.
Rule 9013-2	Contents and Length of Legal Briefs.
Rule 9013-3	Certification of Service.
Rule 9013-4	Continuances.
Rule 9014-1	Default and Summary Judgment.
Rule 9015-1	Jury Trials.
Rule 9018-1	Motions to Publicly File Redacted Documents and to File Unredacted Documents Under Seal.
Rule 9019-1	Settlements and Agreed Orders.
Rule 9019-2	Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Rule 9019-3	Mortgage Modification Mediation Program.
Rule 9023-1	Motions for Reconsideration.
Rule 9023-2	Post-Trial Motions.
Rule 9024-1	Relief from Judgment or Order.
Rule 9037-1	Redaction of Personal Identifiers in Filings Made with the Court.
Rule 9070-1	Exhibits.
Rule 9070-2	Exhibits After Final Judgment.
Rule 9071-1	Stipulations.
Rule 9073-1	Hearings.
Rule 9074-1	Remote Appearance and Witness Testimony.
Rule 9075-1	Emergency Orders.

Attorney Rules 6

Rule	Title
Rule 2090-1	Attorneys - Admission to Practice.
Rule 2090-2	Attorneys - Discipline and Disbarment.
Rule 9010-1	Attorneys - Notice of Appearance.
Rule 9010-2	Facsimile and E-mail Addresses.
Rule 9011-1	Attorneys' Duties.
Rule 9029-1	Attorney Advisory Committee.

Appellate Rules 2

Rule	Title
Rule 8009-1	Designation of Record.
Rule 8010-1	Completion of Record.

View all local rules →

Other Courts in the 3rd Circuit

Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware Wilmington, Delaware Bankruptcy Court, District of New Jersey Newark, New Jersey Bankruptcy Court, District of the Virgin Islands St. Thomas, Virgin Islands Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Pennsylvania Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania