The federal statute, adopted in 1898, that governed all bankruptcy cases filed before October 1, 1979. n. Bankruptcy Code The federal statute, adopted in 1978, that governs all bankruptcy cases filed after September 30, 1979. Superseded Bankruptcy Act. n. Bankruptcy Court A United States District Court, or the bankruptcy judges assigned to a given United States District Court, that deals only with bankruptcy proceedings. n. bankruptcy judge A United States District Court judge appointed by a ...