第１ はじめに
一般に、債務者が「債務の承認」を行った場合には、当該債 務の消滅時効は中断することとなります（民法147条3号1 ）が、 債務者が破産し、破産手続が開始されると、破産財団に属す る財産の管理及び処分をする権利は、破産管財人に帰属す ることになります（破産法78条1項）。
債務者本人ではない破産管財人が債務の承認をした場合 にまで、消滅時効の中断効が生じるかという問題については 従来必ずしも明確になっていませんでしたが、本決定では裁 判所がこの点に関する判断を示しており、また、破産手続のみ ならずその他の倒産手続全般でも問題となり得ることから、以 下、紹介いたします。
第２ 事案の概要
A powerful tool afforded to a bankruptcy trustee or a chapter 11 debtor-in-possession ("DIP") is the power to recover pre-bankruptcy transfers that are avoidable under federal bankruptcy law (or sometimes state law) because they were either made with the intent to defraud creditors or are constructively fraudulent because the debtor-transferor received less than reasonably equivalent value in exchange and was insolvent at the time, or was rendered insolvent as a consequence of the transfer.
Judge Jacqueline P. Cox recently found that three Illinois attorneys violated their ethical obligations by failing to return their client’s phone calls. She thus ordered the attorneys to return half of their already-court-approved, and paid, flat fee.
In In re: Dennis Molnar, 19-bk-09525, 2024 WL 190919 (Jan. 17, 2024 N.D, Ill.), the debtor filed a petition seeking relief under chapter 13. Originally, three attorneys from the same firm represented the debtor. The attorneys appeared pursuant to a “no look,” flat-fee program for chapter 13 debtors’ attorneys.
Case Trends
The scope of the Bankruptcy Code's "safe harbor" shielding certain securities, commodity, or forward-contract payments from avoidance as fraudulent transfers has long been a magnet for controversy, particularly after the U.S. Supreme Court suggested (but did not hold) in Merit Mgmt. Grp., LP v. FTI Consulting, Inc., 138 S. Ct.
The debt purchaser in In re McIntosh argued that because it was enforcing a debt that was not listed correctly on the debtor’s bankruptcy schedules, it was entitled to assume the debt had not been discharged. The U.S.
In recent years, a consistent interplay has emerged between the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code, 2016 ("IBC") and the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 ("Stamp Act"). This interaction has been further heightened due to the ongoing debate surrounding inadmissibility of documents not adequately stamped. The convergence of these statutes becomes particularly relevant when a document, serving as the foundation for determining a debt, is presented before the adjudicating authority.
Alice Belisle Eaton and Billy Clareman Discuss Latest Restructuring
Developments at PLI Event
Practising Law Institute’s “Recent Developments in Distressed Debt, Restructurings,
and Workouts 2024” featured restructuring partner Alice Belisle Eaton and
litigation partner Billy Clareman. Co-chair Alice delivered opening remarks and
spoke on “Market Update: Distressed Debt and Restructurings,” “Corporate
Governance, Officer and Director Risks and Claims in Distressed Situations” and
You can’t make this stuff up. The legal issues are pedestrian. But the facts behind those issues are incredible!
Litigation History
Here’s the boring stuff first.
On January 8, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court denies certiorari in Mann v. LSQ Funding Group, L.C. (Case No. 23-425). Here’s the procedural background:
Friday January 26, 2024
Financial Advisory Partner, Jim Davies, explores the recent developments in Restructuring Plans
Financial Advisory Partner, Jim Davies, led the relevant alternative valuation analysis for four Restructuring Plans that were sanctioned by the High Court in 2023. Here, he explores recent developments in light of the Adler Restructuring Plan being overturned.