These rules, together with the Official Bankruptcy Forms, govern the procedure in cases under the Bankruptcy Code, Title 11 of the United States Code. They must be construed, administered, and employed by both the court and the parties to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every case and proceeding.

These rules should be referred to as the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and the forms as the Official Bankruptcy Forms.

In these rules, the Bankruptcy Code is cited with a section sign and number (§ 101). A rule is cited with “Rule” followed by the rule number (Rule 1001(a)).

A reference to a “Form” followed by a number is a reference to an Official Bankruptcy Form.