The National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges (NCBJ) is offering a scholarship to minority bankruptcy attorneys in honor of Judge Neil Blackshear. The scholarship may be used to offset the cost of travel and registration for the NCBJ Annual Meeting. For further information about applying for the scholarship, click here.

The Judges of the Court encourage creditors and debtors to use Exhibit A to SC LBR 4008-1 when submitting reaffirmation agreements to the Court. Agreements not on the required form may be stricken if not cured following a Notice of Deficiency.

Parties reaching a settlement to a chapter 13 plan objection may now use the "Settlement of Objection to Chapter 13 Plan" event in CM/ECF to reflect that the objection is settled and that the terms of the settlement will be reflected in an amended chapter 13 plan. Parties are requested to use the event by noon on the business day before the hearing so the settlement can be noted on the Court's calendar. Each Chapter 13 Trustee may need additional information so parties should check with each trustee to ensure they follow the trustee's preferred procedure. More information about the new event is available in the Participant's Guide.

The United States Trustee and The United States Attorney have advised the Court of a criminal prosecution which may be of interest to the bar. On April 15, 2009, a Georgia woman pled guilty in federal court in Columbia to one count of making false statements in a bankruptcy petition. The debtor failed to disclose previous bankruptcy cases and that she was the subject of an order barring her from filing further cases. The United States Attorney continues to investigate and prosecute other cases of alleged bankruptcy fraud. A copy of the press release is attached.