The Evolution of Cross-Border Restructuring Processes
Chapter 15 Bankruptcy Issues, Venue, and Jurisdiction by Kristhy Peguero and Jennifer Wertz
Bill on Bankruptcy: Big Time Lawyers Pricing Themselves Out
Judge Michael Wiles of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York issued a decision earlier this year that had the effect of recognizing under Chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code an English Scheme of...more
Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court barred the use of nonconsensual third-party releases in Chapter 11 cases, holding that the Bankruptcy Code did not provide a basis to nonconsensually release claims against third parties...more
Nearing its 20th anniversary, chapter 15 of the Bankruptcy Code is an invaluable framework for coordinating cross-border bankruptcy cases involving foreign debtors that have assets located in the United States. It includes a...more
"Comity" is a principle of jurisprudence whereby, under appropriate circumstances, one country recognizes within its borders the legislative, executive, or judicial acts of another nation. Many recent court rulings have...more
Manipulation of “center of main interest” to secure UK bankruptcy venue does not bar chapter 15 recognition so long as creditors are not disadvantaged. On February 24, 2025, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Michael E. Wiles granted...more
The expansion of global commerce in recent years has been accompanied by a significant increase in the volume of cross-border bankruptcy cases. Many of those cases involve "recognition" of foreign bankruptcy or insolvency...more
It is generally recognized that an order of a U.S. bankruptcy court recognizing a debtor's foreign bankruptcy proceeding as a "main" proceeding under chapter 15 of the Bankruptcy Code triggers the automatic stay preventing...more
Chapter 15 of the Bankruptcy Code (which is based upon the UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency) is designed to facilitate cross-border cooperation and coordination among courts during a pending bankruptcy or...more
To file bankruptcy in the U.S., a debtor must reside in, have a domicile or a place of business in, or have property in the United States. 11 U.S.C. § 109(a). In cross border chapter 15 cases, courts have considered whether...more
One year ago, we wrote that 2022 would be remembered in the corporate bankruptcy world for the "crypto winter" that descended in November 2022 with the spectacular collapse of FTX Trading Ltd., Alameda Research, and...more
Third-Party Releases are common in English law schemes of arrangement and restructuring plans, and US courts have so far indulged that approach in granting recognition. If Prospero’s plea to the audience at the...more
Recent Developments in Bankruptcy Law - Cumulative, through April 2023 - 1. AUTOMATIC STAY - 1.1 Covered Activities - 1.1.a Court denies injunction against actions involving debtors’ affiliates. Shortly after filing...more
It may be fair to say that non-US entities involved in a chapter 15 case, the mechanism through which US courts recognize foreign insolvency proceedings, do not anticipate having to litigate claims raised in the chapter 15...more
1. AUTOMATIC STAY - 1.1 Covered Activities - 1.1.a Court declines to enjoin third party claims against the debtor’s jointly liable parent corporation. The debtor manufactured earplugs for many years. A major...more
1. AUTOMATIC STAY - 1.1 Covered Activities - 1.1.a Court declines to enjoin third party claims against the debtor’s jointly liable parent corporation. The debtor manufactured earplugs for many years. A major multinational...more
Judicial comments cast doubt on the ability to compromise US law-governed debt effectively based on Chapter 15 recognition alone. A recent first instance decision in Hong Kong has highlighted an important...more
Where a company’s liquidation is necessary, deciding who or where is best placed to administer an orderly wind down for the benefit of creditors can be difficult: the shortfall of assets in an insolvency will highlight...more
Judicial comments cast doubt on the ability to compromise US law-governed debt effectively based on Chapter 15 recognition alone. A recent first instance decision in Hong Kong has relied upon the so-called rule in Gibbs...more
The foundation of chapter 15 of the Bankruptcy Code and similar legislation enacted by other countries to govern cross-border bankruptcy cases is "comity" and cooperation among U.S. and foreign courts. The importance of these...more
AVOIDING POWERS - Fraudulent Transfers - Trustee may avoid transfer as actual fraudulent transfer only if ultimate decision-maker has fraudulent intent. Before entering into a two-step LBO transaction, the debtor formed...more
U.S. courts have a long-standing tradition of recognizing or enforcing the laws and court rulings of other nations as an exercise of international "comity." It has been generally understood that recognition of a foreign...more
In cases under both chapter 15 of the Bankruptcy Code and its repealed predecessor, section 304, U.S. bankruptcy courts have routinely recognized and enforced orders of foreign bankruptcy and insolvency courts as a matter of...more
Cross-border bankruptcy cases filed in the U.S. under chapter 15 of the Bankruptcy Code on behalf of foreign businesses doubled during 2020 and are on pace to set another record-breaking year in 2021 (with more than 123...more
Many of us have a basic understanding of U.S. bankruptcy filings under chapters 7, 11, and 13, but we may not know very much about chapter 15. Jackson Walker Bankruptcy, Restructuring, & Recovery attorneys Kristhy Peguero and...more