Consumer Bankruptcy

No Withdrawal or Jury Trial on Claims that Lawyers Violated Section 526

The district court opinion affirms the notion that bankruptcy courts have ‘core’ power without a jury to adjudicate claims of attorney misconduct.

Sixth Circuit BAP Gives Priority Status to Obamacare’s Individual Mandate Penalty

A question may be headed to the Sixth Circuit, where debtors hope to create a circuit split.
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Defamation and IIED Claims Are Not ‘Personal Injury Torts’

Section 157(b)(5) does not bar the bankruptcy court from trying defamation and IIED claims, Judge Thuma says, siding with Judge Bernstein.

The Concept of Bifurcated Fee Agreements Approved on Appeal in South Carolina

Reversing the bankruptcy court, the district court decided that a local rule did not bar bifurcated fee arrangements altogether.