On September 18, in an en banc review, the Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit overruled, in part, seminal casesBarger v. City of Cartersville, 348 F.3d 1289 (11th Cir. 2003) and Burnes v. Pemco Aeroplex, Inc., 291 F.3d 1282 (11th Cir. 2002), adopting a totality-of-the-circumstances analysis when facing questions of judicial estoppel.

Location:

In re Baber, 523 B.R. 156 (Bankr. E.D. Ark. 2014) –

The debtors objected to a proof of claim filed on behalf of a mortgagee based on issues arising from assignment of the mortgage note by the lender that originated the loan.  The mortgagee responded by, among other things, challenging the standing of the debtors to raise these issues.

Location:

In re Killmer, 513 B.R. 41 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2014) –

After reopening a bankruptcy case, a mortgagee moved for a determination that a post-petition delinquent property tax sale was void because it was held in violation of the automatic stay.  In response, the tax authority requested retroactive annulment of the stay.

Location:

In re Trinity Coal Corp., 514 B.R. 526 (Bankr. E.D. Ky. 2014) –

The debtors sought to reject easement and disposal agreements with the owners of adjacent coal mines. The adjacent owners objected on the basis that the agreements were an integral part of a larger transaction, and could not be separately rejected.

Location:

Albert v. Green Tree Servicing, LLC (In re El Erian), 512 B.R. 391 (Bankr. D. D.C. 2014) –

A chapter 7 trustee sought to avoid the lien of a recorded deed of trust because (1) it contained both correct and incorrect parcel numbers and (2) it was improperly indexed. The issue turned on whether a bona fide purchaser would have had inquiry or constructive notice of the deed of trust.

Location:

GII Industries, Inc. v. New York Dep’t of Transp. 2011 Bankr. LEXIS 3663 (Bankr. E.D.N.Y. Sept. 30, 2011)  

The Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York considered the appropriate method for calculating a contractor’s inefficiency damages and whether the contractor was entitled to prejudgment interest in connection with a highway reconstruction project. The Court held that the total cost method was the appropriate manner by which to calculate damages and that the contractor was entitled to prejudgment interest running from the date final payment was due.

Location: