Judicial Conference e-government rule amendments

The United States Judicial Conference has a set of proposed amendments posted to the federal rules of civil, criminal, appellate, and bankruptcy procedures, addressing privacy & security concerns surrounding public access to case filings electronically. ( amendment proposal draft )

The amendments implement portions of the 2002 E-Government Act, which requires federal courts to make filings available online while not sacrificing privacy or security concerns. (summary of act)

Comments on the rule amendments are due by Feb. 15, 2006, and can be made in writing or electronically.

There are public hearings scheduled on the civil rule amendments in Chicago on Nov. 18th. and Washington, D.C. on Dec. 2nd. Hearings on the appellate, bankruptcy, and criminal rule amendments are scheduled for Jan. 9, 2006 in Phoenix, Arizona. Requests to testify at a hearing have to be made to secretary of the standing committee at least 30 days prior to the hearing.