Newsletter, July 2001

July 1, 2001 Fee Increase

The Judicial Conference of the United States has approved the following changes to the Miscellaneous Fee Schedule (28 U.S.C. § 1930(b)). These changes become effective on July 1, 2001, and are also summarized on our website.

The archived record retrieval fee will be increased to $35 ($25) and the ancillary filing fee will be $800 ($500). In addition, the Schedule has been amended to clarify that amendments to matrices or to the mailing lists of creditors will each require a $20 fee.

The Conference also created a separate schedule for "Electronic Public Access" (EPA) Fees, which is effective July 1. Access via dial service will still be sixty cents per minute. Information obtained through a federal judiciary internet site will be seven cents per "page" of data. Attorneys of record and parties in a case (including pro se litigants) receive one free electronic copy of all documents filed electronically (via an Electronic Case Filing (ECF) system), if receipt is required by law or directed by the filer. No fee is owed until an account holder accrues charges of more than $10 in a calendar year. The U.S. Trustee, Panel trustees and certain other classes or persons or organizations are exempt from such fees.

Electronic Case Filing

The national project support team will be visiting during the week of July 9 in Madison and Eau Claire to discuss our progress and to assist with technology and training issues.

Imaging

Since January 1, 2001, we have scanned and added more than 21,000 pages to our Web PACER site. We encourage you to take a look.

Bankruptcy Filings

Nationally, there has been a 17.5% increase in filings. In the Western District, there have been 3256 cases filed. Overall, this represents a 34.5% increase for the five-month period ending May 31, over last year at this time. Total filings this year also represent a 25.5% increase over the same five-month period in 1999. In response to this increase, and in anticipation of new legislation, we have hired three new full-time staff members: Susan Novak and Brenda Lusson (Eau Claire) and Brenda Welhoefer (Madison). We also hired two part-time staff members: Tom Welhoefer (Madison) and Pamela Creydt (Eau Claire).

Reminder

We have recently noticed an increase in the number of documents submitted for filing that do not have a case number. Please take a moment to ensure this information is provided. Thank you.

To subscribe to an electronic version of this newsletter, email us at the address below and put "Subscribe" in the Re or Subject line of the message. Contact Us at: feedback@wiwb.uscourts.gov