OFFICE CLOSURE
In observance of Columbus Day, the Clerk’s office will close at Noon Friday, October 7, 2022 and will reopen at 8AM Tuesday, October 11, 2022. Limited telephone assistance will be available Friday, October 7, 2022 from Noon until 5:00 PM by calling (866) 721-2105 or (866) 356-5221. The court’s Case Management and Electronic Filing System will be available.

PAY.GOV MAINTENANCE
Pay.Gov will be conducting a Disaster Recovery Exercise (DRE) and a transfer production system operations on Saturday, October 15, 2022, beginning at 5:00 pm (CST). The target duration for this exercise is four (4) hours. Agencies will experience a total interruption of services during this exercise. The CM/ECF electronic filing system will be available; however, filers will be unable to pay filing fees for electronic filings during this time. If you encounter any issues, please contact the Clerk’s office first thing Monday morning (October 17).

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO FIFTH CIRCUIT RULE 47 NOTICED FOR COMMENT
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2071, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals gave notice that the court is considering amending 5TH Cir. R. 47.5.4. Written comments for consideration on the proposed change will be accepted through October 21, 2022.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS PUBLISHED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
On June 7, 2022, the Judicial Conference Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure (Standing Committee) approved publication of proposed amendments to the following: Appellate Rules 32, 35, 40, and Appendix on Length Limits, Bankruptcy Restyled Rules Parts VII to IX; Rules 1007, 4004, 5009, 7001, 9006, and proposed new Rule 8023.1, Official Bankruptcy Form 410A, Civil Rule 12, and Evidence Rules 611, 613, 801, 804, and 1006. The public comment period opens on August 15, 2022, and closes on February 16, 2023.

NOTICE RE: ACCESS TO THE ALEXANDRIA COURTROOM OF THE U.S. BANKRUPTCY COURT 2/16/2022
Due to an elevator malfunction and until further notice, access to the Alexandria courtroom on the 2nd Floor of the Hemenway Building will be by stairway only. Repairs are in process, but the court has been advised they could take up to several months to complete. During this time, please be aware that there will only be stairway access.

In the event that someone needing access to courtroom proceedings is unable to climb stairs, the individual should contact their attorney, if applicable, or the Clerk of Court’s office at (318) 445-1890 or (866) 356-5221 to request for special arrangements to be made. This notice will be updated once the repairs have been completed. We apologize for any inconvenience.