Practice and Procedure

9th Circuit Apr 8, 2025

On a Split, Ninth Circuit BAP Holds: Misconduct in ‘11’ Doesn’t Prevent Conversion to ‘7’

Given that chapter 7 has remedies like denial of discharge for a debtor’s misconduct, bad faith in chapter 11 doesn’t allow dismissal on conversion to chapter 7.
9th Circuit Mar 20, 2025

Equity Survives in the Ninth Circuit to Prevent Recoupment of Disability Overpayments

Reversing the BAP, the Ninth Circuit held that equitable considerations may stop the government from recovering disability overpayments, when the doctrine of recoupment otherwise would have allowed recovery despite the debtor’s chapter 7 discharge.

Class Actions: The Answer for Stay Violations with Small Damages for Each Debtor

A class action in Chicago will decide whether bankruptcy judges have the tools to rectify a single creditor’s violation of the rights of similarly situated debtors.

Chapter 13 Debtors Can’t Sell Co-Owned Property Under Section 363(h)

On a question where the courts are split, Bankruptcy Judge Pamela McAfee sides with the majority and holds that a chapter 13 debtor can’t sell co-owned property.

Judge Christopher Klein Writes ‘Cliffs Notes’ on Transferring Venue of Related Cases

In transferring venue of a related case under Rule 1014(b), the bankruptcy court can move sua sponte and need not await a venue motion by a creditor or party in interest.
5th Circuit Jan 28, 2025

A Disguised Loan Agreement Didn’t Create a ‘Fair Ground of Doubt’ Under Taggart

The Fifth Circuit undertook a legal analysis of a complex loan agreement to decide there was no ‘fair ground of doubt’ under Taggart that the lender was violating the discharge injunction.
9th Circuit Jan 24, 2025

Debtors Have a Narrow Window in ‘13’ to Redeem Foreclosed Property, BAP Says

Because a right of redemption does not give rise to a claim, Section 1322(b) doesn’t enable a debtor to redeem foreclosed property when the right of redemption has expired.