United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas

5th Circuit Houston, Texas

About This Court

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas is a unit of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas and operates under the jurisdiction of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. The court has authority over bankruptcy cases filed by individuals and businesses located within the Southern District of Texas, which spans a large geographic area including Houston, Corpus Christi, Laredo, McAllen, and Galveston, covering much of the Gulf Coast region and the southern border of Texas.

The Southern District of Texas Bankruptcy Court has become one of the most prominent bankruptcy courts in the United States, particularly for large and complex corporate reorganizations filed under Chapter 11. Houston's status as a major center for the energy, petrochemical, and maritime industries contributes significantly to the court's docket of significant business bankruptcy cases.

The court operates multiple divisions across the district, with the Houston division handling the largest volume of cases. The court is known for its experienced bench and its capacity to administer complex, high-profile restructurings involving multinational corporations and significant creditor constituencies.

Handles cases filed under the federal Bankruptcy Code within the jurisdiction of the Southern District of Texas. Bankruptcy judges are appointed by the court of appeals for 14-year terms. Proceedings are governed by the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure.

Divisions

Houston Division (Houston), Corpus Christi Division (Corpus Christi), Laredo Division (Laredo), McAllen Division (McAllen), Galveston Division (Galveston)

Caseload

The court is widely recognized for handling large complex Chapter 11 corporate reorganizations, particularly in the energy, oil and gas, and maritime sectors. It also carries a substantial volume of consumer bankruptcy cases given the size and population of the district.

Bar Admission

Attorneys must be admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas in order to appear in the bankruptcy court. Admission requires good standing with the State Bar of Texas or another state bar, along with compliance with the district's local rules.

Clerk's Office

515 Rusk Street, Houston, TX 77002

(713) 250-5500

Local Rules

The Local Rules of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, which supplement the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. See the court's official website for the authoritative text.

General Rules 51

Rule	Title
Local Rule 1001-1	General.
Local Rule 1002-1	Commencement of Case and Divisional Filing Locations.
Local Rule 1007-1	Supporting Documents.
Local Rule 1007-2	Pro Se Petitions.
Local Rule 1009-1	Amendments of Voluntary Petitions and Their Supporting Documents.
Local Rule 1014-1	Intradistrict Transfer.
Local Rule 1015-1	Joint Administration.
Local Rule 1017-2	Dismissals.
Local Rule 1019-1	Supplemental Schedules in Converted Cases.
Local Rule 1075-1	Complex Cases.
Local Rule 2002-1	Notices to Creditors, Equity Security Holders, and the United States.
Local Rule 2002-4	Communication and Cooperation with Foreign Courts and Foreign Representatives.
Local Rule 2003-1	Section 341 Meetings of Creditors or Equity Security Holders.
Local Rule 2004-1	Examination.
Local Rule 2006-1	Trustee Election.
Local Rule 2014-1	Employment of Professionals.
Local Rule 2014-2	Judges Acting in a Settlement Capacity
Local Rule 2015-3	Reports.
Local Rule 2016-1	Professional Fees.
Local Rule 3001-1	Proofs of Claim on Home Mortgages.
Local Rule 3003-1	Deadline for Filing Proofs of Claim and Proofs of Interest in Chapter 9 and Chapter 11 Cases.
Local Rule 3007-1	Objections to Claims.
Local Rule 3010-1	Date of Distribution in Dismissed Chapter 13 Cases.
Local Rule 3011-1	Unclaimed Funds.
Local Rule 3015-1	Confirmation of Chapter 13 Plans and Rule 3015.1 Opt-Out.
Local Rule 3016-1	Chapter 11 Plans.
Local Rule 3016-2	Combined Disclosure Statement and Plan; Conditional Approval of Disclosure Statements; Combined Hearings on Final Approval of Disclosure Statements and Confirmation of Plans in Chapter 11 Cases.
Local Rule 3021-1	Payments by Chapter 13 Trustee.
Local Rule 4001-1	Relief from Automatic Stay.
Local Rule 4002-1	Duties of Debtor-in-possession.
Local Rule 4003-1	Exemptions.
Local Rule 4008-1	Reaffirmation Agreements.
Local Rule 5005-1	Filing of Papers and Signatures.
Local Rule 5011-1	Withdrawal of Reference.
Local Rule 6007-1	Surrender of Collateral in Chapter 13 Cases.
Local Rule 6007-2	Abandonment of Property in Chapter 7 Cases.
Local Rule 7007-1	Motions in Adversary Proceedings.
Local Rule 7008-1	Statement Regarding Consent to Entry of Orders or Judgment in Core Proceeding.
Local Rule 7012-1	Statement in Responsive Pleading Regarding Consent to Entry of Orders or Judgment in Core Proceeding.
Local Rule 7016-1	Pretrial Adversary Proceeding Case Management.
Local Rule 7041-1	Settlement.
Local Rule 7067-1	Registry of the Court and Costs.
Local Rule 9003-1	Matters Heard Ex Parte.
Local Rule 9013-1	Pleadings, Hearings, and Service.
Local Rule 9013-2	Exchange of Exhibits, Exhibit Lists and Witness Lists in all Contested Matters and Adversary Proceedings.
Local Rule 9027-1	Removal.
Local Rule 9027-2	Statement in Notice of Removal Regarding Consent to Entry of Orders or Judgment in Core Proceeding.
Local Rule 9027-3	Statement Regarding Consent to Entry of Orders or Judgment in Core Proceeding.
Local Rule 9033-1	Proposed Findings and Conclusions in Certain Core Proceedings.
Local Rule 9037-1	Sealed Documents.
Rule 9017-1	Means of Conducting Hearings and the Taking of Testimony

Other Courts in the 5th Circuit

Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Texas Tyler, Texas Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Louisiana Baton Rouge, Louisiana Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Mississippi Oxford, Mississippi Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Texas Dallas, Texas Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Mississippi Jackson, Mississippi Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Louisiana Shreveport, Louisiana Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Texas San Antonio, Texas