Does "before" mean "in front of" here?

Context:

Chapter 11 bankruptcy definition

A provision of the U.S. bankruptcy law which enables a failing firm to apply to the courts for protection against all http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/creditors while it is reorganized to pay its http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/debts. This provision enables a firm to avoid being closed down by any single creditor and gives investors a chance to decide whether the firm can again be made profitable. At the same time, it gives dishonest management the opportunity to loot the firm's http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/assets while the case is before the courts