September 28, 2023
An FTC Suit Under the Sherman and FTC Acts Wasn’t Subject to the Automatic Stay
The ‘police and regulatory’ exception to the automatic stay applies when the FTC is only seeking injunctive and equitable relief, the D.C. Circuit says.
D.C. Circuit, District of ColumbiaSeptember 27, 2023
A Settlement Term Sheet Signed After Mediation Was an Enforceable Contract
The state law standards for creation of a contract governed enforceability of a term sheet signed after mediation.
3rd Circuit, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Eastern DistrictSeptember 26, 2023
Bankruptcy Judge Stong Penned a Compendium About Eligibility for Subchapter V
Another judge holds that dealing with debt from a defunct business satisfies the eligibility requirement for Subchapter V.
2nd Circuit, New York, New York Eastern DistrictSeptember 25, 2023
Nonpurchase Money Debt Service on a Car Isn’t a Deductible ‘Ownership’ Cost in ‘13’
Courts aren’t fully in agreement, but most hold that non-purchase money debt service on a car isn’t an ‘ownership cost’ deducted from current monthly income to arrive at disposable income in chapter 13.
5th Circuit, Louisiana, Louisiana Western DistrictSeptember 22, 2023
Successorship Obligations Are Not Barred by Sales Free and Clear, Delaware D.J. Says
Neither a sale ‘free and clear’ nor rejection of a union contract bars enforcement of NLRA successorship obligations, Delaware district judge rules in reversing the bankruptcy court.
3rd Circuit, DelawareSeptember 21, 2023
Supreme Court Will Soon Grant or Deny ‘Cert’ to Rule on Refunds for UST Overpayments
The bankruptcy court in Delaware sided with four circuits by directing the U.S. Trustee to give refunds for overpayment of fees that were not uniform throughout the country.
3rd Circuit, DelawareSeptember 20, 2023
Personal Injury Settlement Was Not ‘Income’ Payable to Creditors in Chapter 13
Memphis Bankruptcy Judge Denise Barnett reads the BAPCPA amendments as excluding personal injury settlements from the calculation of ‘projected disposable income.’
6th Circuit, Tennessee, Tennessee Western DistrictSeptember 19, 2023
Fourth Circuit: Bankruptcy Courts Aren’t Bound by Article III’s Case or Controversy Requirements
The Fourth Circuit says that bankruptcy courts have broader jurisdiction than other federal courts and that some of their decisions are unreviewable by Article III courts.
4th CircuitSeptember 18, 2023
The Absolute Priority Rule Is Alive and Well in Individual Chapter 11 Cases
The BAPCPA amendments in 2005 did not abrogate the absolute priority rule for individuals in chapter 11, Bankruptcy Judge Russin says.
11th Circuit, Florida, Florida Southern DistrictSeptember 15, 2023
Chapter 7 Debtors Have No Appellate Standing to Challenge a Short Sale, Circuit Says
Ninth Circuit doesn’t allow debtors to appeal when a trustee sells their home out from underneath them in a short sale.
9th Circuit