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Amendment to Local Bankruptcy Rules 2084-9, 2084-10, 2084-11, 2084-12

Background

In 2025, the Ninth Circuit issued a mandate requiring all Ninth Circuit courts, including the Arizona Bankruptcy Court to certify that its Local Rules were consistent with the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and the Bankruptcy Code. A Local Rules Committee was convened to complete a review and make recommendations to the Court.

The Committee identified an inconsistency between the FRBP, the Code, Local Rules, and customary procedure regarding objection deadlines and confirmation of Chapter 13 Plans. The Committee concluded that 11 U.S.C. § 1324 requires a confirmation hearing in all Chapter 13 cases. The Committee recommended changes to the Local Rules, which have been considered and approved by the Court. The attached proposed Local Rule amendments are being circulated for public comment. Any comments, concerns, and suggested edits should be submitted in writing by May 6, 2026 to local_rules@azb.uscourts.gov.

Summary of Proposed Local Rule Changes

  • Rule 2084-9—The Local Rule is amended to set deadlines to object to confirmation of a Plan consistent with FRBP 3015. Language waiving requirement for Court to hold confirmation hearing is deleted.
  • Rule 2084-10—Timing for Trustee Recommendation regarding Chapter 13 Plan changed so filed before initial confirmation hearing unless amended plan filed. Shortens objection periods to make process more efficient.
  • Rule 2084-11—Requires Court to set initial confirmation hearing in every case no earlier than 20 and no later than 45 days after the meeting of creditors. Requires attendance of all parties participating in plan confirmation process at initial hearing, unless all objections have been resolved.
  • Rule 2084-12—Allows confirmation after an initial confirmation hearing without the necessity of conducting any further hearing if the Trustee and all objecting parties sign stipulated order.
     

Proposed Rules (Clean)

Proposed Rules (Redline)

Pilot Program to Implement

When these amended Local Rules become effective, Judge Gan and Judge Wanslee will conduct a pilot program for new Chapter 13 cases assigned to them. In these newly filed cases, the initial confirmation hearing will be set by the Clerk of Court in the “Notice of Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Case,” that includes the 11 U.S.C. § 341 meeting of creditors hearing date. If the Plan is timely filed (See FRBP 3015) and all objections resolved by that initial confirmation hearing, the Court will consider confirmation. If objections remain outstanding, the Court will treat the initial confirmation hearing as a status hearing and consider appropriate timing for continued confirmation hearings and procedures. The scheduling procedure for Chapter 13 confirmation hearings for the remainder of the Judges will be determined by each assigned Judge as outlined in their Procedures pages, or as otherwise provided by separate notice.

 

Click here to submit a proposed Local Rule amendment.

 
Submitting Proposed Amendments To The Local Rules Of Procedure Of The United States Bankruptcy Court For The District Of Arizona:
 
Notice
Any person or organization may propose amendments to the Local Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure for the District of Arizona by submitting them online via the Court’s Proposed Amendment Submission webpage or email to local_rules@azb.uscourts.gov.  New proposals for consideration during an amendment cycle must be submitted by August 31st, and, if adopted will become effective on December 1 of the following year.  The Court will appoint an advisory committee to review all timely submitted proposals for rejection, deferral or recommendation to the Court for consideration.  The Court will decide whether to approve the proposed amendments for circulation to the bar and the public for comment.
 
Form of Submission
While no specific form or format is required to submit a proposed amendment, to assist in describing and supporting the proposal, please include the following information:
  • Your name and email address
  • If the proposal relates to an existing Local Rule, please identify the Rule number
  • Type or attach the proposal, including any grounds for the amendment
 
Stay Informed
Proposals are typically published to the Court’s website for public comment during the months of May and June. To receive notice of actions pertaining to local rules, select the “Subscribe” button at the top of this page.
 

Local Rules for practicing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Arizona, are published below.  These include revisions made through December 2025.

Use the links below to view the individual local rules in Web format.

Sample Forms

Archived Local Rules

The following PDF downloads contain prior versions of the Local Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure for the District of Arizona, including revisions made through August 1, 2018.

The following PDF downloads contain the Local Rules for Arizona Bankruptcy including revisions made through December 1, 2017.

The following PDF downloads contain the Local Rules for Arizona Bankruptcy including revisions made through May 14, 2012.

The following PDF download contains the Local Rules governing Chapter 13 practice in cases filed before October 17, 2005.

Local Rule 5095-1 (prior rule).  Applies to all funds held on deposit in the Registry Account  of the court deposited with the court prior to June 1, 2012.

Bankruptcy Appellate Panel (BAP)

The Ninth Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel's website can be found here:  http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/bap/.  The website contains links to the BAP local rules, forms, notices and litigants manual, as well as other helpful information.