This article originally appeared in Vol. 52 of Kentucky Trucker, a publication of the Kentucky Trucking Association.

This article was originally published in Bloomberg Law Professional Perspectives.

Chapter 11 Subchapter V cases are a relatively new animal in the bankruptcy world. Subchapter V was added to Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in February 2020 to provide an efficient and cost-effective alternative process for small businesses wishing to organize under Chapter 11.

Unlike regular Chapter 11 business reorganizations, Subchapter V provides for the appointment of a trustee. However, Subchapter V provides little detail about the role of these trustees. This article discusses how one court dealt with this ambiguity.

Background

The Fifth Circuit recently weighed in on the hotly contested issue of whether the Federal Energy and Regulatory Commission (FERC) or the bankruptcy court has controlling jurisdiction when it comes to the question of a bankruptcy debtor’s ability to reject contracts regulated by FERC. FERC-regulated contracts include electricity power purchase contracts, as well as transportation services agreements involving oil and gas.

In the bankruptcy world, not all claims are created equal. Rather, certain special categories of claims have priority status and are not only paid ahead of other claims, but are also often paid in full. One such category of claims is found in Bankruptcy Code § 503(b)(9), which grants priority claim status for goods which were sold in the ordinary course of business and received by a debtor within the 20-day window leading up to the bankruptcy filing. The code section is very clear, however.

In brief

As of 19 October 2020, the changes to the Bankruptcy Code of Ukraine became effective.

What’s new

From 17 October 2020, and for the quarantine period, the following changes are introduced in the bankruptcy procedure:

In brief

As of 19 October 2020, the changes to the Bankruptcy Code of Ukraine became effective. 

What’s new

From 17 October 2020, and for the quarantine period, the following changes are introduced in the bankruptcy procedure:

A divided Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruled in the case of In re FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. on Dec. 12, 2019. The panel decided that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) share jurisdiction when a Chapter 11 debtor moves to reject a power purchase and sale contract over which the FERC has jurisdiction (Power Contract). However, the Sixth Circuit noted that such jurisdiction is not equal; declaring the bankruptcy court’s authority as primary and superior to that of the FERC.

The Code

On 21 October 2019 the Bankruptcy Code of Ukraine shall come into legal force ("Code"). The rules on operation of the electronic trade system within bankruptcy proceedings shall become effective earlier, on 21 July 2019.

The Code amends the bankruptcy procedure of legal entities and introduces the bankruptcy procedure for individuals (which was not previously applicable in Ukraine).

New Provisions

The most significant changes are the following:

Beauty Brands, LLC, along with two subsidiaries and affiliates, has filed a petition for relief under chapter 11 in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Lead Case No. 19-10031).