By Eric Daucher (US), Jason Blanchard (US), Michael Berthiaume (US) and Emily Hong (US) on Posted in UncategorizedOn April 19, 2023, the US Supreme Court unanimously held that Section 363(m) of the Bankruptcy Code is not “jurisdictional,” and therefore does not limit a court’s authority to hear an appeal of a bankruptcy sale order (even if it does limit a court’s ability to void the sale itself). This ruling resolves a circuit… Continue Reading
By Francisco Vazquez (US) on Posted in US In a matter of first impression at the Circuit level, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that a court may confirm a plan filed on behalf of multiple debtors that has been approved by an impaired class of creditors of only one of the debtors. JPMCC 2007-C1 Grasslawn Lodging,… Continue Reading
By Christy Rivera (US) on Posted in USLast week, the Second Circuit established an “efficient market”-based approach for calculating cramdown interest rates. Adopting a test established by the Sixth Circuit, the Second Circuit held that courts must apply a market interest rate where an efficient market exists. See Momentive Performance Materials Inc. v. BOKF, NA (In the Matter of: MPM Silicones, L.L.C.),… Continue Reading
By Christy Rivera (US) on Posted in USThere has been a lot of discussion, by both the courts and practitioners, regarding whether the bankruptcy court, as part of a chapter 11 plan, can release a third party from creditors’ claims over the objection of such creditors. We have talked about these non-consensual third-party releases on this blog as well. Courts are not… Continue Reading
By on Posted in USIn Nobel Group, Inc. v. Cathay Bank (In re Nobel Group, Inc.), the Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California reviewed the scope of its jurisdiction post-confirmation and held that, notwithstanding plan provisions stating the contrary, the court did not have jurisdiction over the reorganized debtor’s claims asserted against its previously secured creditor.… Continue Reading
By on Posted in USCircuit courts are divided as to whether provisions of a bankruptcy plan of reorganization may release a non-debtor from creditors’ claims over the objection of a non-consenting creditor (i.e. non-consensual third-party releases). A majority of courts will permit non-consensual third-party releases under certain limited circumstances. This issue has been in the news recently with speculation that… Continue Reading
By on Posted in USOn January 23, 2015, the Eleventh Circuit recognized the res judicata effect of provisions contained in a bankruptcy plan of reorganization that released all claims against a third-party guarantor. In deciding In re FFS Data, Inc., the court examined (i) the plain language of the plan provisions to determine whether a particular claim was included… Continue Reading
By on Posted in USFollowing Judge Drain’s decision in Momentive, many in the bankruptcy world have written about and discussed the issue of how to determine the appropriate interest rate that should be paid to secured creditors in the context of a Chapter 11 cramdown (the so-called “cramdown interest rate”). While many questions have been asked and remain unanswered,… Continue Reading
By on Posted in USIn a case of first impression, the Second Circuit recently held that the doctrine of equitable mootness is applicable in appeals arising from Chapter 11 liquidations and affirmed the decision of the Southern District of New York to dismiss the appeals of three decisions in the Chapter 11 liquidation proceedings of the former book retailer… Continue Reading
By on Posted in USA recent decision in the Momentive cases explores the limitations of changing a vote pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 3018. In that case, the first and 1.5 lien noteholders initially voted to reject the debtors’ proposed plan of reorganization in order to pursue their claim for recovery of a “make-whole” payment they argued they were entitled… Continue Reading
