Bankruptcy Client Alert

Bankruptcy Client Alert
May 29, 2012

Supreme Court Unanimously Upholds Right of Secured Creditor to Credit Bid in Sale Under Chapter 11 Plan
Michael H. Reed | [email protected]

In a unanimous decision, the U.S. Supreme Court held that debtors may not obtain confirmation of a Chapter 11 cramdown plan that provides for the sale of collateral free and clear of a creditor's lien but does not permit the creditor to credit-bid at the sale. In Radlax Gateway Hotel, LLC et al. v. Amalgamated Bank, a closely watched case attracting wide interest from the bankruptcy bar, the Court resolved an issue that had split the lower courts, upholding a decision of the Seventh Circuit, River Rd. Hotel Partners, LLC v. Amalgamated Bank, and departing from the holding of the Third Circuit in In re Philadelphia Newspapers, LLC.

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Third Circuit Issues Important Ruling on Collateral Valuation and Lien-Stripping in Chapter 11 Cases
Michael H. Reed | [email protected]

The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit recently issued an important decision on the valuation of collateral of secured creditors and "lien-stripping" in Chapter 11 cases. In In re Heritage Highgate, Inc.,the court held that in a Chapter 11 case, the value of a secured creditor's collateral under §506(a) of the Bankruptcy Code was the fair market value of the property as established by expert testimony and it was permissible to "strip the lien" of the creditor where it was unsupported by collateral value. The court also clarified the burden of proof with respect to collateral valuations under §506(a) of the Bankruptcy Code.

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