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Bankruptcy
Class Term:
Fall Term 2022-2023
Catalog Number:
5272
Professor(s):
Professor
Lecture
Credits:
3 (3 Contact, 0 Field)
Priority:
General Enrollment Course
Full Year Course:
No
Category:
Standard Courses
Additional Information
NOTE: Dates and times for the meetings of creditors will be posted after course begins. The meetings are typically conducted in the morning and early afternoon in downtown Pittsburgh.
Grading Details
Grading will be based primarily on a final examination. One assignment will include a field trip to observe first meetings of creditors and/or bankruptcy court hearings. A written paper of the student's legal analysis based upon observation and research (4 typewritten, double spaced pages) will be required and will count as 10% of the grade. Class participation is an important part of this course and will constitute 10% of the final grade. In addition, if homework assignments and quizzes are given, they too will count toward the final grade in percentages to be determined based upon the assignment or quiz.
Prerequisites
Description
The study of bankruptcy law is the study of how the prospect and availability of bankruptcy affects legal relationships; therefore, bankruptcy attorneys must understand the full range of law, to determine the impact an insolvency proceeding has on the parties in interest and community at large.
This course provides an introduction to federal bankruptcy law under the Bankruptcy Code of 1978 as amended, Title 11 U.S.C.A. The course focuses on substantive provisions of the Bankruptcy Code that apply in all varieties of bankruptcy proceedings and some of the associated rules of procedure. Covered topics include eligibility for federal bankruptcy relief; commencement of bankruptcy proceedings; jurisdiction and procedure; defining property of the bankruptcy estate; the automatic stay; adequate protection; discharge and dischargeability of debts; priorities; allowing, valuing and estimating claims; selected issues usually encountered in business, such as executory contracts and leases; the trustee's avoiding powers; set-off and recoupment; professional obligations. The course proceeds by analysis of problems and cases. Familiarity with the law of secured transactions (especially Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code) is necessary.