Local Rules
The Local Bankruptcy Rules (LBRs) are a set of procedures and mandatory requirements for bankruptcy cases and proceedings in the Central District of California. LBRs also give parties and their attorneys instructions for getting their requests in front of the judge and list requirements for attorneys, trustees, and other parties who work for a bankruptcy estate. Motions are often denied because parties do not follow LBRs, so it is important to familiarize yourself with the LBRs that are relevant to your case. If revised, LBRs are posted only once a year, in January.
Free information about bankruptcy laws and procedures is available from each division’s Self-Help Desk. For a list of local free and low cost attorneys, see the Don’t Have an Attorney page.
General Orders
General orders are directives published by the Court that establish a procedure or a requirement in the Central District of California. Each general order applies to one specific issue that affects the entire Court. Often, general orders apply to issues that are not covered by LBRs.
Free information about bankruptcy laws and procedures is available from each division’s Self-Help Desk. For a list of local free and low cost attorneys, see the Don’t Have an Attorney page.
Court Manual
The Court Manual, which serves as the administrative portion of the LBRs, contains a wealth of important instructions and contacts. It lists all the documents you must prepare in order to file bankruptcy, as well as step-by-step instructions for filing documents electronically and lodging orders electronically. The Court Manual also contains other useful information for the use of lawyers, legal assistants, and the public, including filing fees and procedures, telephone numbers, clerical and mechanical rules, and instructions and guides for public access to court dockets, records, and court technology. The most current version of the Court Manual is always available on the Court’s website in a “redline” version, which displays revisions, deletions, and new material in red ink.
Free information about bankruptcy laws and procedures is available from each division’s Self-Help Desk. For a list of local free and low cost attorneys, see the Don’t Have an Attorney page.