Any use of U.S. Bankruptcy Court space requires advance permission from the Bankruptcy Court.
Official Government Use of Bankruptcy Court Space
Requests to use U.S. Bankruptcy Court space by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, other federal courts, or any federal agencies are considered requests for official government use.
Examples of Official Functions of the Federal Courts:
- Investiture proceedings;
- Naturalization proceedings;
- Facility dedications; and
- Judiciary sponsored programs designed to educate and inform the public about the mission of the judiciary (e.g., “Law Day,” “Power Lunch,” “Open Doors to Federal Courts,” “Your Day in Bankruptcy Court,” “Courtrooms and Classrooms”).
Other functions may be considered official government use of Bankruptcy Court space if the Chief Bankruptcy Judge determines that they are necessary to carry out the mission of the Federal Judiciary and involve active participation by local federal court personnel.
Bankruptcy Court staff will assist nonjudicial federal agencies in planning logistical arrangements for use of Bankruptcy Court space. However, it is expected that nonjudicial federal agencies will provide their own resources, such as staff support, equipment, and extra furniture, for their use of Bankruptcy Court space.
Unofficial Use of Bankruptcy Court Space
All other requests to use Bankruptcy Court space are considered unofficial use (e.g. requests to use court space for receptions and other social events that have no relation to the Bankruptcy Court’s official business). Requests to use Bankruptcy Court space for unofficial use will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, subject to approval by the Chief Bankruptcy Judge, in the Chief Bankruptcy Judge’s discretion.
- Use of Bankruptcy Court courtroom space and/or the accompanying chambers requires the permission of the judges normally assigned to those courtrooms and chambers.
- Unauthorized solicitation of donations or dues in Bankruptcy Court space, and use of Bankruptcy Court space for advertising, are prohibited. This prohibition includes but is not limited to posting or affixing materials, such as pamphlets, handbills, or flyers, on bulletin boards or elsewhere in Bankruptcy Court space, except when expressly permitted by the Clerk of Court/Executive Officer of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court (Clerk). Requests to post information on a bulletin board located outside of a judge’s courtroom must be submitted directly to that judge.
- Applicants and guests of applicants are subject to all rules and regulations governing conduct on federal property, including but not limited to, no discrimination based on race, creed, religion, age, color, disability, sex, or national origin in conducting activities.
Factors for approving requests for unofficial use of Bankruptcy Court space include but are not limited to the following:
- Whether the requested use of Bankruptcy Court space promotes or detracts from public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the Federal Judiciary;
- Mandatory Certification that Use of Bankruptcy Space is Not for Profit: The requesting organization must certify that any fee charged to participants attending an activity to be held in Bankruptcy Court space is based upon estimated cost and is not for profit, that is, the activity has no component representing proceeds in excess of estimated costs.
- Whether the function for which use of Bankruptcy Court space is requested is necessary or related to or furthers the mission of the Federal Judiciary
Requests for Use of Bankruptcy Court Space Is Subject to Availability
Requests for use of Bankruptcy Court space are normally considered in the order they are received. Approved requests for use of Bankruptcy Court space are subject to cancellation as conflicting Bankruptcy Court needs arise, or if the space becomes inaccessible for reasons of security or building maintenance. The Bankruptcy Court reserves the right to refuse any request for use of its space.
Revised March 2020