Commercial Litigation and Arbitration

Federal Jurisdiction — “Related to” Bankruptcy Jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 157

From Lawrence v. Goldberg, 573 F.3d 1265 (11th Cir. 2009):

Bankruptcy courts have jurisdiction to hear "any or all cases under title 11 and any or all proceedings arising under title 11 or arising in or related to a case under title 11," upon referral by a district court. 28 U.S.C. § 157(a) (2006). "'Arising under' proceedings are matters invoking a substantive right created by the Bankruptcy Code. The 'arising in a case under' category is generally thought to involve administrative-type matters . . . ." Cont'l Nat'l Bank of Miami v. Sanchez (In re Toledo), 170 F.3d 1340, 1345 (11th Cir. 1999) (citations omitted). We have adopted the following guidelines for determining whether a civil proceeding is "related to" a bankruptcy proceeding:

The . . . test for determining whether a civil proceeding is related to bankruptcy is whether the outcome of the proceeding could conceivably have an effect on the estate being administered in bankruptcy. The proceeding need not necessarily be against the debtor or against the debtor's property. An action is related to bankruptcy if the outcome could alter the debtor's rights, liabilities, options, or freedom of action (either positively or negatively) and which in any way impacts upon the handling and administration of the bankrupt estate.

Miller v. Kemira, Inc. (In re Lemco Gypsum, Inc.), 910 F.2d 784, 788 (11th Cir. 1990) (quoting Pacor Inc. v. Higgins, 743 F.2d 984, 994 (3d Cir. 1984)).

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