Bankruptcy Appellate Panel Judges are federal judges appointed by the United States Circuit Courts of Appeals to hear appeals in bankruptcy cases. They are typically appointed from the ranks of bankruptcy lawyers and bankruptcy judges and serve on panels of three judges. Bankruptcy Appellate Panel Judges have the authority to issue orders and rulings on appeals from decisions made by the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts. There are two types of Bankruptcy Appellate Panel Judges: Standing Judges and Temporary Judges. Standing Judges are appointed for a term of four years and can be reappointed. Temporary Judges are appointed for a specific case and can be reappointed as needed. Both Standing and Temporary Judges are bound by the same rules of procedure, and both have the same authority to issue orders and rulings on appeals from decisions made by the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts.