In Momentive Performance Materials, the Second Circuit declined to dismiss as equitably moot the appeals of certain noteholders.
Background
New rules strengthen the position of individual creditors and weaken the concept of insolvency proceedings as a means of final collective satisfaction of creditors. Taylor Wessing in Bratislava, as an advisor to the Ministry of Justice, has been actively involved in the creation of this new regime.
New provisions
The United States Second Circuit has issued its ruling in the Momentive Performance Materials casesresolving three separate appeals by different groups of creditors of Judge Bricetti’s judgment in the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, which affirmed
Good news: structured dismissals have survived Supreme Court scrutiny. Bad news: dismissals may be harder to structure, given yesterday’s 6-2 decision overruling the Third Circuit in Jevic narrowing the context in which they can be approved. We now have guidance on whether or not structured dismissals must follow the Bankruptcy Code’s priority scheme. The short answer is that they must.
Summary
The Existing System
Despite its introduction to the Slovak legal system in 2006, current laws on debt relief within the framework of bankruptcy of natural persons have not been a viable solution.
Basing the legal institute of debt relief on a two-step procedure:
- starting with bankruptcy (i.e. liquidation of (all) the debtor’s assets)
- then followed by a three-year trial period at the end of which the court releases a resolution on the possibility of personal bankruptcy
has in fact hindered debtors from filing.
“Aside from their inconsistency with empirical data, proposals to “reform” the Bankruptcy Code must overcome a more basic reality: The current Code works exceedingly well.”
– LSTA Response
Two major Slovakian construction companies, both heavily dependent on large state contracts, have recently been restructured. Both of these cases have proven that Slovakian entrepreneurs, even those who live off of public money, perceive and utilise the current regulation of the restructuring procedure as a “legally safe way” to restart their businesses and get rid of a large portion of creditors. This option is viable also in a moment, when the only solution clearly is a bankruptcy petition.
One of the primary business restructuring goals is the adjustment of a company’s burdensome obligations. If a business is going to be reorganized, matching a company’s obligations to its value is key to the rehabilitation and “fresh start” concepts that underpin the Bankruptcy Code.
On May 4, Judge Vincent Bricetti of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York issued a ruling in the Momentive Performance Materials cases affirming the bankruptcy court’s confirmation rulings. Key themes raised in this case of interest to distressed investors and addressed in Judge Bricetti’s ruling include