United States Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Washington

9th Circuit Seattle, Washington

About This Court

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington is a unit of the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, operating within the Ninth Circuit. The court has jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases filed under Title 11 of the United States Code by individuals, businesses, and other entities located within the western portion of Washington State. The district encompasses a large and economically diverse region that includes major metropolitan areas, technology industry centers, and significant maritime and trade activity.

The Western District of Washington is one of the busier bankruptcy districts in the Ninth Circuit, reflecting the size and economic activity of its population base, which includes the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area and surrounding counties. The court handles all chapters of bankruptcy, including Chapter 7 liquidations, Chapter 11 reorganizations, Chapter 12 family farmer and fisherman cases, and Chapter 13 individual repayment plans.

The court operates from two primary locations, Seattle and Tacoma, serving the counties that make up the western district. It follows the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure as well as its own local rules, which practitioners must consult when filing matters before this court.

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

Divisions

Seattle Division (Seattle), Tacoma Division (Tacoma)

Caseload

The court handles a substantial volume of consumer and business bankruptcy filings, consistent with the large and economically active population of the Seattle-Tacoma region. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases constitute the majority of filings, with Chapter 11 business reorganizations also representing a notable portion of the docket.

Bar Admission

Attorneys must be admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington to appear in the bankruptcy court. Admission to the Washington State Bar alone is not sufficient without corresponding federal court admission.

Clerk's Office

700 Stewart Street, Suite 6301, Seattle, WA 98101

(206) 370-5200

Local Rules

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

Civil Rules 6

Rule	Title
RULE 7004-1	SERVICE OF PROCESS
RULE 7004-2	SUMMONS
RULE 7012-1	NOTICE REGARDING FINAL ADJUDICATION AND CONSENT TO ENTRY OF FINAL ORDERS OR JUDGMENTS BY BANKRUPTCY JUDGE IN AN ADVERSARY PROCEEDING
RULE 7016-1	PRE-TRIAL PROCEDURES
RULE 7026-1	DISCOVERY - GENERAL
RULE 7055-1	DEFAULT; DEFAULT JUDGMENT

General Rules 65

Rule	Title
RULE 1006-1	FILING FEE: WAIVER OR INSTALLMENTS
RULE 1007-1	LISTS, SCHEDULES, STATEMENTS
RULE 1009-1	AMENDMENTS TO PETITION, LISTS, SCHEDULES AND STATEMENTS
RULE 1017-1	DISMISSAL OF CASE
RULE 1072-1	PLACES OF HOLDING COURT
RULE 1073-1	ASSIGNMENT OF CASES
RULE 2002-1	NOTICE TO CREDITORS & OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES
RULE 2003-1	MEETING OF CREDITORS AND EQUITY SECURITY HOLDERS
RULE 2014-1	EMPLOYMENT OF PROFESSIONALS
RULE 2015-1	DEBTOR IN POSSESSION DUTIES
RULE 2016-1	COMPENSATION OF PROFESSIONALS
RULE 2016-2	COMPENSATION OF BANKRUPTCY PETITION PREPARERS
RULE 3003-1	CLAIMS AND EQUITY SECURITY INTERESTS - BAR DATE
RULE 3007-1	CLAIMS - OBJECTIONS
RULE 3015-1	CHAPTER 13 PLANS
RULE 3015-2	REQUEST TO INCUR POST-CONFIRMATION DEBT TO FINANCE A MOTOR VEHICLE IN A CHAPTER 13 CASE
RULE 3017-1	DISCLOSURE STATEMENT - APPROVAL
RULE 3017-2	DISCLOSURE STATEMENT - SMALL BUSINESS CASES
RULE 3018-1	BALLOTS - VOTING ON PLANS
RULE 3020-1	CHAPTER 11 - CONFIRMATION
RULE 4001-1	AUTOMATIC STAY
RULE 4001-2	VOLUNTARY MODIFICATION OF DEBT SECURED BY REAL PROPERTY
RULE 4001-3	CASH COLLATERAL
RULE 4002-1	DUTIES OF DEBTOR
RULE 4004-1	MOTIONS FOR HARDSHIP DISCHARGE
RULE 4008-1	REAFFIRMATION
RULE 5001-1	DEPOSIT OF FUNDS IN THE REGISTRY OF THE BANKRUPTCY COURT
RULE 5003-1	CLERK OF COURT - GENERAL/AUTHORITY
RULE 5004-1	DISQUALIFICATION OF A JUDGE
RULE 5005-1	ELECTRONIC CASE FILING
RULE 5005-2	SUBMISSIONS ON PAPER (DOCUMENTS NOT SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY)
RULE 5010-1	REOPENING CASES
RULE 5011-1	WITHDRAWAL OF REFERENCE
RULE 9003-1	STATUS CONFERENCES IN CHAPTER 11 CASES
RULE 9004-1	CAPTION AND FORM OF PAPERS
RULE 9011-1	NOTICE OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER OR EMAIL ADDRESS
RULE 9013-1	MOTION PRACTICE
RULE 9015-1	JURY TRIAL
RULE 9018-1	SEALING AND REDACTING OF COURT RECORDS
RULE 9021-1	JUDGMENTS & ORDERS - FORM AND ENTRY OF
RULE 9027-1	REMOVAL/REMAND
RULE 9029-1	LOCAL BANKRUPTCY RULES - GENERAL
RULE 9029-2	LOCAL RULES - DISTRICT COURT
RULE 9029-3	FEDERAL RULES OF BANKRUPTCY PROCEDURE
RULE 9040-1	HONORABLE THOMAS T. GLOVER MEDIATION PROGRAM
RULE 9040-2	PURPOSE AND SCOPE
RULE 9040-3	CERTIFICATION
RULE 9041-1	ELIGIBLE CASES
RULE 9042-1	PANEL OF MEDIATORS
RULE 9042-2	QUALIFICATIONS OF MEDIATOR
RULE 9042-3	ANNUAL SELECTION OF MEDIATORS
RULE 9042-4	GEOGRAPHIC AREAS OF SERVICE
RULE 9042-5	TRAINING
RULE 9043-1	ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM
RULE 9043-2	THE PROGRAM EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
RULE 9044-1	ASSIGNMENT TO THE PROGRAM
RULE 9044-2	SERVICE OF MEDIATOR
RULE 9045-1	DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES
RULE 9045-2	ATTENDANCE AT MEDIATION CONFERENCE
RULE 9046-1	CONDUCT OF THE MEDIATION CONFERENCE
RULE 9047-1	CONFIDENTIALITY
RULE 9048-1	SUGGESTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF MEDIATOR
RULE 9049-1	PROCEDURES UPON COMPLETION OF MEDIATION CONFERENCE
RULE 9050-1	PRO BONO MATTERS AND FEES FOR SERVICES OF MEDIATORS
RULE 9074-1	TELEPHONE OR VIDEO CONFERENCES

Attorney Rules 3

Rule	Title
RULE 2089-1	WITHDRAWAL AND SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL
RULE 2090-1	LEGAL INTERNS
RULE 9083-1	PRO HAC VICE

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