Courts Interpret Brunner Too Harshly, Bankruptcy Judge Cecelia Morris Says
A debtor with a law degree but only $37,500 in gross annual income was permitted to discharge more than $220,000 in student loans.
Immediately Withdrawing the Reference Is ‘Absurd,’ District Judge Says
Defendants in lawsuits by Lehman Brothers are stuck in bankruptcy court until the cases are ready for a jury trial.
Losing Competitive Advantage Doesn’t Justify Redacting a Settlement Agreement
Judge Garrity in New York adopts a narrow view of ‘commercial information’ that may be redacted in a court filing.
New York Judge Refuses to Waive Collateralization for Debtors’ Bank Accounts
In a large ‘prepack,’ the debtor was required to spend $80,000 a month for its depository bank to obtain a bond required by Section 345(b).
Rule 2004 Discovery Barred for Use in Litigation Outside Bankruptcy Court
Judge Sean Lane publishes an opinion to nip an improper discovery tactic in the bud.
Religious Contributions Not Considered in Dischargeability of Student Loans
First Amendment doesn’t compel deduction of religious contributions in finding an ‘undue hardship’ justifying the discharge of student loans.
Delay in Appointment of a Foreign Representative Isn’t Fatal to Chapter 15 Recognition
Allegedly repudiating U.S. dollar obligations won’t preclude a finding of property in the U.S., Judge Lane rules.
Freezing a Chapter 7 Debtor’s Bank Account Doesn’t Violate the Automatic Stay
SDNY opinion seems to mean that a bank may freeze a debtor’s entire bank account at filing, without violating the automatic stay.
New York Judge Gives Reasons for Nixing Nonconsensual, Third-Party Releases
Bankruptcy Judge Wiles explains the jurisdictional, statutory and constitutional reasons why nonconsensual releases are improper in the Second Circuit except in exceptional circumstances.
After 12 Losses, Will Madoff Customers Stop Pursuing Claims Belonging to the Estate?
New York district judge is the most recent court to uphold an injunction implementing a $7.2 billion Madoff settlement.