Title 28 — Judiciary and Judicial ProcedureRelease 119-73not60

§154 Division of Businesses; Chief Judge

Title 28 › Part I— ORGANIZATION OF COURTS › Chapter 6— BANKRUPTCY JUDGES › § 154

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

If a district has more than one bankruptcy judge, the bankruptcy judges must vote by majority to create rules for splitting up the court's work when the district court has not already set those rules. The district court must name one judge to be the bankruptcy court’s chief judge. If most district judges cannot agree, the district court’s chief judge chooses. The chief judge must make sure both courts’ rules are followed and the bankruptcy court’s business is run quickly and properly.

Full Legal Text

Title 28, §154

Judiciary and Judicial Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Each bankruptcy court for a district having more than one bankruptcy judge shall by majority vote promulgate rules for the division of business among the bankruptcy judges to the extent that the division of business is not otherwise provided for by the rules of the district court.

(b)In each district court having more than one bankruptcy judge the district court shall designate one judge to serve as chief judge of such bankruptcy court. Whenever a majority of the judges of such district court cannot agree upon the designation as chief judge, the chief judge of such district court shall make such designation. The chief judge of the bankruptcy court shall ensure that the rules of the bankruptcy court and of the district court are observed and that the business of the bankruptcy court is handled effectively and expeditiously.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

28 U.S.C. § 154

Title 28 — Judiciary and Judicial Procedure

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60