What is the Bankruptcy Stay of Proceedings?

The Debtor in Possession may enforce or employ the Section 362 stay of proceeding provisions against existing debtors. This broad authority gives the DIP power to continue operations with existing creditors without being subjected to debt-collection practices that may thwart the reorganization of the estate. The DIPs authority trumps any rights to collection or agreement not to contest a debt that is present in the debt agreement. Upon request of a party in interest and after notice and a hearing, the court may grant relief from the stay.

When can a Credit Have the Court to Remove the 362 Stay?

The justifications for relieving the stay are as follows:

No Equity in Property – The debtor does not have any equity in the property andit is not necessary for an effective reorganization; or

Example: The debtor purchases equipment that is financed by the seller. At the time of filing bankruptcy, the debtor owes more on the loan than the equipment is worth. The equipment is not necessary for the continued operations of business, so the creditor may seek relief from the stay to repossess the equipment and sell it.

For Cause – The court may relieve the stay of proceeding for cause, including the lack of adequate protection of an interest in property.

The primary limitations of the automatic stay are that it does not stop certain criminal actions, paternity suits, collection of domestic support obligations, or actions by a governmental unit exercising its police and regulatory power. The police or regulatory power exception should be narrowly construed when the actions result in financial penalty or forfeiture. Courts generally employ two tests to determine whether the stay should apply in these situations:

Pecuniary Purpose Test – If the primary purpose of the government units action looks back and punishes for past conduct, it should not be excepted from the stay as an exercise of police or regulatory power.

Public Policy Test – If the primary purpose of government action relates to stopping a continued threat to public safety or health, it should be excepted from stay as police or regulatory power.

One factor that the court will consider is whether relieving the stay would cause irreparable harm to the bankruptcy rehabilitative process.