In re: Dex Media, Inc.

Filing 4

Recommendation that Bankruptcy Appeal be withdrawn from mandatory mediation. Signed by Judge Mary Pat Thynge on 2/22/17. (cak)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE
In re: DEX MEDIA, INC.

:
:
Debtor.
:
__________________________________ :
:
YELLOW PAGES PHOTOS, INC.,
:
:
Appellant,
:
:
v.
:
:
DEX MEDIA, INC.,
:
:
Appellee.
:

C. A. No. 17-96-GMS
Bankruptcy Case No. 16-11200 (KG)
BAP No. 17-4
ADV No. 16-510-26

RECOMMENDATION
At Wilmington this 22nd day of February, 2017.
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, the issues
involved in this case are not amenable to mediation and mediation at this stage would
not be a productive exercise, a worthwhile use of judicial resources nor warrant the
expense of the process. Neither party is interested in mediation at this time.
This appeal arises from dismissal by the Bankruptcy Court of Yellow Pages
Photos, Inc.’s (YPPI) counterclaim against Dex Media, Inc. in an adversary proceeding.
On January 19, 2017, the Bankruptcy Court granted Dex Media’s motion for judgment

on the pleadings and found YPPI’s claims were barred by res judicata, judicial estoppel
and collateral estoppel. Pending in the Bankruptcy Court is Dex Media’s request that
the Bankruptcy Court enter a final judgment that formally disallows YPPI’s claims
against it and provide the declaratory relief Dex Media claims it is entitled to as a result
of the Bankruptcy Court’s ruling. YPPI opposes this request and intends to file an
objection by February 28, 2017 in the Bankruptcy Court. Accordingly, should the
Bankruptcy Court enter judgment as requested by Dex Media, the parties advised that
this judgment would be appealed by YPPI and likely consolidated with the pending
appellate proceedings.
YPPI argues that Dex Media is seeking a stay of this present appeal, pending
resolution of Dex Media’s post-order request to the Bankruptcy Court for an additional
order. YPPI proposes the following briefing schedule:
YPPI’s opening brief

April 7, 2017

Dex Media’s answering brief

May 8, 2017

YPPI’s reply brief

May 26, 2017

Dex Media denies it is seeking a stay of this appeal, but argues to avoid
duplication of efforts, that the parties should wait until after the Bankruptcy Court rules
on the pending request for entry of judgment before submitting a joint briefing schedule
for this appeal.
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. The parties are advised 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
Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge

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