NEWS RELEASE

 

BIDEN: INCREASE NATION’S BANKRUPTCY COURT JUDGES

 FOR RELEASE: October 8, 2002

    WASHINGTON, DC -- In an effort to address the severe shortage of federal bankruptcy court judges across the nation, United States Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr. today introduced legislation that would authorize new judgeships for the nation’s busiest bankruptcy court districts including Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, among others.  

    “The dramatic increase in bankruptcy filings in the past few years has created a serious need for additional judgeships, particularly in Delaware – far and away the nation’s most overworked bankruptcy court,” said Senator Biden.  

“In these cases, timing is often critical, and without these additional judgeships, corporations could face significant and unnecessary delays.”  

    Senator Biden cited the most recent data from the Administrative Office for the United States Courts that shows weighted filings for the district of Delaware exceeding 13,000 cases per judge during a one-year period.  The next busiest district, Maryland, maintains a substantially smaller ratio of 3,000 weighted filings per judge.  Weighted filings take into consideration not only the volume of cases, but the complexity of the case as well. 

     “The bankruptcy bar in Delaware is among the most respected and accomplished in the country, as are our bankruptcy judges.  But the numbers clearly show that Delaware’s bankruptcy judges are overworked.  They need relief from their staggering caseload, and they need it yesterday,” said Biden. 

    Specifically, the bill would authorize a total of 28 new, temporary judgeships and the extension of four existing temporary positions.  Four of the additional judges, and one of the extended judgeships, would be slated for the District of Delaware.    

    The Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 2002 is co-sponsored by Senators Tom Carper (D-DE); John Edwards (D-NC); Diane Feinstein (D-CA); and Chuck Schumer (D-NY).   

    The bill now goes to the Senate Judiciary Committee for initial consideration.  

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