In a recent decision, Heritage Home Group LLC, et al., Case No. 18-11736-KG, 2018 WL 4684802 (Bankr. D. Del. Sept. 27, 2018), Judge Kevin Gross, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the District of Delaware, held that a consultant tasked with liquidating the debtors’ assets under a store closing and asset disposition agreement (“Disposition Agreement”) is not a professional, and consequently, not required to be retained under Section 327(a) of the Bankruptcy Code.

WIS Holding Company, Inc., along with six affiliates and subsidiaries, has filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Lead Case No. 18-11579).

RMH Franchise Holdings, Inc., an Applebee’s franchisee based in Atlanta, GA, has, along with four subsidiaries and affiliates, filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Lead Case No. 18-11092). RMH’s petition reports an estimated $100 – $500 million in assets and liabilities.

Augustus Energy Resources, LLC, a privately owned, natural gas exploration, development and production company headquartered in Billings, Montana, has filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Case No. 18-10580). Augustus’ Petition estimates both its assets and liabilities to be between $10–$50 million.

Rand Logistics, Inc., along with six affiliates and subsidiaries, has filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Lead Case No. 18-10175).

PhaseRx, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZRX), a Seattle-based biopharmaceutical company developing mRNA treatments for life-threatening inherited liver diseases in children, has filed a chapter 11 petition before the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Case No. 17-12890). The case has been assigned to the Honorable Christopher S. Sontchi.

Ideal Diamond Trading Limited (f/k/a Jade Crown Trading Limited), a diamond trader based in Hong Kong, has filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Case No. 17-12202). Ideal is an affiliate of Exelco North America, Inc. (Lead Case No.

Prospector Offshore Drilling S.à r.l., and 3 of its affiliates, has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Lead Case No. 17-11572). The entities are affiliates of the Paragon debtors that filed for chapter 11 on February 14, 2016.

Globalization has led to a marked increase in international components to insolvency proceedings. Cross-border issues add a new layer of complexity to what is often a situation already fraught with obstacles. Courts and practitioners alike face additional difficulties communicating with other courts, resolving issues consistently in jurisdictions with different laws and policy objectives, and enforcing rulings and implementing orders adjudicated extraterritorially.

In a decision released on November 17, 2016, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the holding of the Delaware Bankruptcy Court, affirmed by the District Court, that EFIH is not required to pay make-whole payments. In re Energy Future Holdings Corp., 16-1351, _ F.3d _ (3d Cir. Nov. 17, 2016).

Summary of Facts