Thank you for contacting the Scouting Settlement Trust.
As we previously advised, in mid-May the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit dismissed the widest ranging appeals of the Bankruptcy Court’s plan confirmation order, which had been filed by a small group of dissenting sexual abuse Survivors and holdout insurance companies. A small group of dissenting sexual abuse Survivors filed a motion for rehearing en banc with the Third Circuit, seeking to have the entire Court review the three-judge panel’s May 13 decision dismissing their appeal. The Third Circuit denied the motion for rehearing en banc on June 13, 2025.
The next step in the dissenters’ appeals process was for them to try to have the Third Circuit’s decision reviewed by the United States Supreme Court. On Friday, August 30, 2025, a small group of dissenting sexual abuse Survivors filed a motion to extend the time for them to seek review by the Supreme Court. They asked that the deadline to seek further review be extended for 60 days—until November 10, 2025. Certain sexual abuse Survivors and Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America (“BSA”)) opposed the length of the requested extension. On September 4, 2025, Justice Alito granted a 30-day extension, which meant that the time to seek further review by the Supreme Court would run on October 13, 2025. On October 13, a further one-day extension was granted moving the deadline to October 14, 2025.
On October 14, 2025, a small group of sexual abuse survivors filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari with the United States Supreme Court. Through the filing of this petition, this small group of survivors is requesting that the Supreme Court review the decision of the Third Circuit in connection with their appeal from confirmation of the BSA plan of reorganization. BSA and other parties intend to oppose the petition, arguing that there is no legitimate basis for further review by the Supreme Court.
While it is not possible to predict with certainty when the Supreme Court will decide whether it will grant the petition and agree to review the decision of the Third Circuit, it is highly unlikely that we will know if the Supreme Court will agree to review the decision of the Third Circuit until sometime in the first quarter of 2026. If the Supreme Court decides to review the decision of the Third Circuit, there will be even further delays so that the parties can submit briefs on the merits of the appeal and the Supreme Court can hear oral argument.
These further delays mean that the funds necessary for a second distribution from the Trust to Survivors with allowed claims will remain in escrow until all appeals are exhausted and the plan confirmation order becomes a final order.
In the meantime, the Trust’s essential work of determining claims and providing an initial distribution to Survivors of sexual abuse in Scouting with allowed claims will continue without interruption.
The Trust will keep Survivors and counsel apprised as further developments occur.
Regards,
Scouting Settlement Trust Team