The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland is closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and following all recommended guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maryland Department of Health.The Bankruptcy Court and the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland have issued orders limiting operations, suspending various proceedings, and extending certain deadlines.
Courthouse Operations / Emergency Matters
Effective November 16, 2020, all in-court hearings and proceedings are suspended, and the Courthouses are closed to the general public with limited exceptions described below. Bankruptcy hearings continue to be held as scheduled via ZoomGov.
Public Intake Open -- The Clerk’s Office intake counters for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland are open, by appointment only, Monday, Wednesday and Friday (except for federal holidays) from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Click here to make an appointment.
The Clerk’s Office also remains open to the public through telephone access and the drop boxes located in the lobby of each courthouse. Drop box hours are 9:00 a.m. until midnight in Baltimore and 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. in Greenbelt. CM/ECF will continue to be available for electronic filings. Any emergency matters, including first day motions as necessary, should be filed consistent with past practice and brought to the attention of the courtroom deputy for the presiding judge or the clerk of court.
Deadlines
As of August 28, 2020, all of the previously extended “filing deadlines” between March 16, 2020 and June 5, 2020 had expired. The Court’s Current Operational Status summarizes these prior filing deadline extensions as well as the return to regular “filing deadlines” and the orders below contain additional relevant information:
Additional Operational Information / Orders
For more complete information on the Court’s operations during the Covid-19 pandemic, please refer to the following links:
- Virtual Hearings Access Information and Resources
- USDC Standing Order 20-21 Extending USDC Standing Order 20-20 Through January 15, 2020
- USDC Standing Order 20-20 Reduction in Phasing
- Current Operational Status of Bankruptcy Court (as of November16, 2020)
- Information for Parties Without an Attorney
- Electronic Document Submission System Pilot Program
- Information About Scheduling Intake Appointments
- Administrative Orders / Standing Orders
- Notices Regarding 341 Meetings of Creditors
Court Locations
Notice of Vacancy, Information Technology Security Officer, The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland
Please click here to view the Notice of Vacancy from the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland.
Notice of Proposed Amendments to Local Bankruptcy Rules
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland has approved for publication and public comment amendments to the Court’s Local Bankruptcy Rules. Please click here for a summary of the proposed changes, a redline copy of the amendments, and instructions on how to submit comments. Comments on the proposed revised rules should be submitted on or before November 27, 2020. If adopted, the amended Local Bankruptcy Rules will go into effect on December 1, 2020.
Maria Ellena Chavez-Ruark Sworn In as United States Bankruptcy Judge
Maria Ellena Chavez-Ruark has been sworn in as the new bankruptcy judge for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland. She was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the untimely passing in November 2019 of The Honorable Wendelin I. Lipp. Judge Ruark will sit in the Bankruptcy Court's Greenbelt Division. Click here to read the Announcement.
Bankruptcy Court Public Intake Counters – Open by Appointment Only
The Clerk’s Office intake counters for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland are open, by appointment only, Monday, Wednesday and Friday (except for federal holidays) from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Because of reduced Court operations, walk-ins are not permitted at this time. Click here to make an appointment.
Outstanding Debtor Assistance Project and MVLS Volunteers -- 2019/2020
In collaboration with the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) Celebrate Pro Bono 2020, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland recognizes and thanks volunteers and supporters for their outstanding pro bono work during 2019 and 2020 (January-September). For more information and to see the recognized Debtor Assistance Project and MVLS volunteers, click here.