In re: Franklin Bank Corporation, et al.
Filing
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Recommendation that Bankruptcy Appeal be withrawn from mandatory mediation. Signed by Judge Mary Pat Thynge on 2/10/15. (cak)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE
In re: Franklin Bank Corporation
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HoldCo Advisors, L.P.,
Appellant,
v.
Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company
NA, George L. Miller and Senior
Noteholders, et al.,
Appellees.
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C. A. No. 14-1527-RGA
Bankruptcy Case No. 08-12924 (CSS)
AP No. 14-44
RECOMMENDATION
At Wilmington this 10th day of February, 2015.
WHEREAS, pursuant to paragraph 2(a) of the Procedures to Govern
Mediation of Appeals from the United States Bankruptcy Court for this District dated
September 11, 2012, the court conducted an initial review, which included information
from counsel, to determine the appropriateness of mediation in this matter;
WHEREAS, as a result of the above screening process, mediation at this
stage would not be a productive exercise, a worthwhile use of judicial resources nor
warrant the expense of the process.
The Appellant and Appelles do not gree on whether mediation would be
productive. The present appeal arises out of the same dispute that Holdco (Appellant)
unsuccessfully appealed to this court. See Case no, 13-1716-RGA, consolidated into
Case No. 13-1713-RGA, D.I. 37, 38 (Memorandum Opinion and Order). In that case, I
previously determined that mediation was not appropriate. This Court found in favor of
Appellees, the same Appellees in the present appeal. Holdco appealed to the Third
Circuit, which cancelled mediation. No stay pending appeal at the Third Circuit was
pursued by Holdco.
In its prior ruling, this Court remanded to the Bankruptcy Court the remaining
issue regarding payments of certain fees. See Case No. 13-1713-RGA D.I, 37. That
issue was resolve through settlement among the affected parties. Thereafter the
Bankruptcy Court conducted a hearing and entered an Order providing for distribution to
BNY Mellon. That Order is the subject of the present appeal.
Holdco is willing to mediate and feels no agreement will be reached without the
assistance of a mediator. Appellees point out that the Order on appeal “does not lend
itself to a mediated resolution” where they previously prevailed on the underlying merits
of the appeal. I agree that in light of the present status of this matter, keeping this
matter in mandatory mediation is not warranted.
The Trustee takes no position with respect to mediation, but noted because
Holdco did not seek a stay of the Bankruptcy Court’s Second Revised Distribution Order
(the Order involved in the present appeal), the Trustee distributed the funds consistent
with the terms of the Order.
THEREFORE, IT IS RECOMMENDED that, pursuant to paragraph 2(a)
Procedures to Govern Mediation of Appeals from the United States Bankruptcy Court
for this District and 28 U.S.C. § 636(b), this matter be withdrawn from the mandatory
referral for mediation and proceed through the appellate process of this Court. Through
this Recommendation, the parties are reminded of their right to file objections to this
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Recommendation pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B), FED. R. CIV. P. 72(a) and D.
DEL. LR 72.1.
Local counsel are obligated to inform out-of-state counsel of this Order.
/s/ Mary Pat Thynge
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
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