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UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT
DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY

NOTICE TO THE BAR AND PUBLIC
REGARDING GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

Effective 12:01 a.m. January 31, 2026, attached please find the General Order relating to Court operations during Phase 1 of the lapse in appropriations funding the Federal Judiciary. The Court will remain open and operational for the duration of this impasse, fulfilling its Constitutional mandate to provide equal access to justice.

If you have any general questions, please let the Deputy in Charge of the respective vicinage in Newark, Trenton and Camden know.

The Court will of course forward any guidance received from the AO or District Court in real time.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Dated: January 31, 2026 Jeanne A. Naughton, Clerk

This matter is before the Court due to the lapse of Congressional appropriations funding the Federal Judiciary. The lapse is effective as of 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026. The Courts will have an independent source of funding through filing fees through February 4, 2026, with said time period constituting Phase 1 of the Shutdown. Regardless of funding, the Court will remain open and operational for the duration of this impasse, fulfilling its Constitutional mandate to provide equal access to justice.

Unlike during the prior shutdown occurring in Fall 2025, the Department of Justice (the United States Trustee and/or the United States Attorney) is not affected by the lapse in appropriation. Based upon the foregoing, it is hereby

ORDERED that all matters involving as a party the United States of America, its agencies, and/or any other party represented by the Department of Justice or the United States Attorney's Office will proceed as scheduled; and it is further

ORDERED that all matters involving parties other than the United States will similarly proceed as scheduled; and it is further

ORDERED that to the extent that an attorney from the Department of Justice, United States Attorney's Office, or the United States Trustee requests an adjournment or stay of any matter due to the shutdown's effect on his or her client, the Court shall liberally grant such adjournments at its discretion; and it is

FINALLY ORDERED that the Court will issue further guidance by way of General Order if and when Phase 2 of the Shutdown commences.

The Court may renew or modify this Order depending on developments during this period and incorporates by reference any relevant Standing Order entered by the District Court. Should any continued lapse in appropriations impact the ability of the judiciary to continue its operations, the Bankruptcy Court will follow the District Court's guidance and will enter any additional orders required to continue its operations in the most efficient manner.

The Court shall distribute this Order by:
a. Electronic mail to all registered CM/ECF users;
b. Posting the Order and a Notice to the Bar on the Court's website.