News

The U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas is now on Twitter @ksdcourt.  As a means of enhancing our court's outreach efforts, we launched a Twitter account to expand our communication with the bar and the public.  This means of communication will be used to provide real-time notification of issues; such as, CM/ECF outages, CLE events, courthouse closings during inclement weather and ......... more »

Effective May 1, 2013, there is a new $50 general administrative fee for filing a civil action, suit, or proceeding in a district court. This fee is in addition to the existing civil filing fee of $350. Therefore, effective May 1st the total fee for filing a new civil case will be $400.This new fee is part of the “District Court Miscellaneous Fee Schedule”, established by the Ju......... more »

The United States District Court for the District of Kansas recently upgraded to CM/ECF Version 6.1, which includes a direct link to the mobile PACER Case Locator (PCL) provided by the PACER service center. The mobile query interface offers a simplified user experience optimized for display on mobile devices Follow the link for additional information: ......... more »

The United States District Court for the District of Kansas gives notice of the amendment of local rules 7.2, 83.6.8, and ......... more »

At the recommendation of the District of Kansas’ Criminal Task Force, the Kansas City and Topeka federal judges recently adopted new procedures to help alleviate congested criminal trial dockets in Kansas City and Topeka. The Task Force recommended two new standardized orders.  Pretrial Order 1 KC and ......... more »

(Source:  The Third Branch News)  A few days after the federal Judiciary’s Digital Video Pilot Project began in July 2011, the Western District of Tennessee recorded the first courtroom proceeding, a preliminary injunction hearing in a defamation case.  A year and a half later, eleven of the pilot districts, including the District of Kansas, have recorded at least one proceeding. All fourtee......... more »

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. issued his "2012 Year-End Report on the Federal Judiciary," focusing on efforts by the federal courts to contain costs.   The report outlines the cost-containment strategies initiated by the federal  judiciary, including rent reduction, salary containment and information technology initiatives.  Civil case filings in the U.S. District Courts fell four perc......... more »

Congress has taken no action on the amendments to the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy and Criminal Procedure approved by the Supreme Court on April 23, 2012, and transmitted to Congress on April 24, 2012. Under the Rules Enabling Act, 28 U.S.C. §§ 2071-75, the following amendments take effect on December 1, 2012: Bankruptcy Rules 1007, 2015, 3001, 7054 and 7056; and Criminal R......... more »

The District and Bankruptcy Judges of the District of Kansas have adopted the Kansas Bar Association’s Pillars of Professionalism as an aspirational goal for lawyers. The District joins the Kansas Supreme Court in endorsing this document. A copy of the Pillars can be found ......... more »

The court is pleased to announce that a Video Conferencing Center has been established in Room 653 at the Robert J. Dole Courthouse to enable attorneys to conduct video conferences with clients at the CCA facility.  This new service is similar to the arrangement at the Johnson County Courthouse.  An e-mail to the CCA contact will initiate the scheduling process, and no involvement from the court......... more »

Recently, the Clerk’s Office has seen an increase in motions that do not comply with the local rules. This is particularly true with respect to motions for extensions of time under Local Rule 6.1. Under that rule, all motions for extension of time require prior consultation with other parties and the views of the other parties are required to be stated. Similarly, Rule 37.2 requires the parties ......... more »

(From the Third Branch News) The public comment period has opened for several proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Practice and Procedure, which govern litigation in the federal courts. The comment period closes February 15, 2013. T......... more »

The 2012-2013 Attorney Annual Renewal drive for the United States District Court for the District of Kansas is now open. Use the Online Attorney Renewal System (OARS) to complete your renewal by July 1, 2012. OARS is a web based system that allows you to register and pay your annual renewal dues online when required. Annual renewal re......... more »

The United States District Court for the District of Kansas mourns the death of Senior Judge Wesley E. Brown, who passed away Monday, Janua......... more »

On Tuesday, January 24 a courtroom in Clausen Hall at Fort Riley will be dedicated to the late United States Magistrate Judge  John Thomas Reid.  Appointed in 1984, Judge Reid retired from active service in 1999 but remained on the federal bench as a recalled magistrate judge until his death on November 16, 2008.   The courtroom plaque will read: THE ......... more »

On January 19, 2012 the District of Kansas recorded its first proceeding under the Cameras in Courts Pilot in Case No. 09-2482, Rajala v. Gardner et. al. District Judge Eric F. Melgren presided over the hearing, which you can view here.......... more »

An increase in the electronic public access (EPA) fee, from eight cents to ten cents per page, will take effect on April 1, 2012. The Judicial Conference of the United States authorized an increase in the federal judiciary’s electronic public access fee in response to increasing costs for maintaining and enhancing the electronic public access system.  The change is needed to support and impr......... more »

On November 9, 2011 a panel of judges from the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit will hold a special session of court in Wichita. The panel will hear arguments from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in Courtroom 238 of the Wichita United States Courthouse, 401 N. Market St. The arguments are open to the public. That afternoon, the Court invites members of the bar and public to an open......... more »

Justice on the Prairie -- 150 Years of the Federal District Court of Kansas is now available for purchase. This coffee-table book explores the rich history of the court, which came into existence in 1861 after the U.S. Congress admitted Kansas as a state. The book is written by Michael H. Hoeflich, the John H. and John M. Kane Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Kansas. ......... more »

In conjunction with its year-long 150th anniversary celebration, the Court is hosting a special naturalization ceremony on Monday, October 17, 2011 in Salina's Stiefel Theatre.  Community Access Television of Salina will broadcast the ceremony live with coverage starting at 10:30 a.m.

Welcome to the new, redesigned website of the United States District Court for the District of Kansas!  The site has been completely overhauled to (1) add online services, (2) improve navigation and content, and (3) give the site a modern look. Visitors to the site can transact various business via online services like eJuror, which allows jurors to complete questionnaire and ......... more »

Several judges from the District of Kansas are participating in Cameras In Courts, the federal Judiciary's digital video pilot program.  District of Kansas participating judges include Chief Judge Kathryn Vratil, ......... more »