Federal Judiciary: Information on the Use of Recalled Magistrate and Bankruptcy Judges

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO determined: (1) whether the demand for recalled magistrate and bankruptcy judges has exceeded the number of judges available to serve in recalled positions; (2) whether the courts that recalled judges had judgeship vacancies or higher than average weighted case filings; and (3) the approximate 1-year cost savings associated with using a recalled judge rather than filling a full-time judgeship position.