An amendment to Rule 3015(c)(1) is currently under review that will permit courts to “opt out” and use a Local Form Plan. Public comment ended on Oct. 3, 2016, and it looks as if Official Form 113, also known as the National Form Plan, and the related Rule amendments will go into effect on Dec. 1, 2017, absent intervention from the Judicial Conference, the Supreme Court or Congress.

This imminent inevitability has led many bankruptcy courts to consider opting out of the National Form Plan. Instead of adopting the Official Form, a district may require a local form plan, provided it satisfies proposed Rule 3015.1. 

The ABI Bankruptcy Litigation Committee presents a must-see webinar for bankruptcy practitioners about the appeals process. The panel will explore the nuts and bolts of bankruptcy appeals – the statutes, rules, and decisions governing how to obtain appellate review of different types of bankruptcy court orders and the mechanics of initiating and prosecuting appeals, the differences between the district court and the BAP appeals, strategic considerations, and — most importantly — how to win your appeal. The distinguished panel of appellate judges and practitioners will offer their views on best practices for brief writing and conducting persuasive oral arguments in both intermediate appellate courts and circuit courts, as well as common errors to avoid in oral argument.