Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Fifth Circuit Agrees With 'Cleary': Corporate Debtors Are Subject to Section 523(a) In Subchapter V Case

By Jeffrey M. Rosenthal, Vincent J. Roldan and Joshua S. Bauchner
August 01, 2024

The goal of most corporate reorganization cases is for the company to obtain a "discharge" of its debts, and obtain a "fresh start." Though a Chapter 11 plan will discharge most types of debts, certain debts are deemed ineligible for discharge for public policy reasons. These debts are excepted from discharge under Section 523(a) of the Bankruptcy Code.

In 2019, Congress enacted subchapter V in the Small Business Reorganization Act as a streamlined, less expensive alternative to traditional Chapter 11 cases. Case law is still evolving under this relatively new law; the latest issue is whether a corporate debtor in a subchapter V case is subject to the non-dischargeability provisions of Section 523(a).

In a controversial decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, in In re Cleary Packaging, ruled that corporate debtors are subject to Section 523(a). Subsequent bankruptcy courts outside the Fourth Circuit, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel (BAP), criticized the decision. For a period of time, it appeared that practitioners did not have to worry about the Cleary Packaging decision outside the Fourth Circuit.

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
'Huguenot LLC v. Megalith Capital Group Fund I, L.P.': A Tutorial On Contract Liability for Real Estate Purchasers Image

In June 2024, the First Department decided Huguenot LLC v. Megalith Capital Group Fund I, L.P., which resolved a question of liability for a group of condominium apartment buyers and in so doing, touched on a wide range of issues about how contracts can obligate purchasers of real property.

Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult Coin Image

With each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.

CoStar Wins Injunction for Breach-of-Contract Damages In CRE Database Access Lawsuit Image

Latham & Watkins helped the largest U.S. commercial real estate research company prevail in a breach-of-contract dispute in District of Columbia federal court.

Fresh Filings Image

Notable recent court filings in entertainment law.

The Power of Your Inner Circle: Turning Friends and Social Contacts Into Business Allies Image

Practical strategies to explore doing business with friends and social contacts in a way that respects relationships and maximizes opportunities.