BCR Advisory Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy

So What Does a Bankruptcy Carve-Out Clause Really Mean? Delaware Bankruptcy Court Concludes It is Not a Cap on Fees After All

This article was sourced from JD Supra Business Advisor. Article by Robert Kaelin and Murtha Cullina.

In chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, it is not uncommon for secured parties/lenders to provide a “carve-out” for various professional fees.  Frequently there may be a “carve-out” for “all chapter 11 professionals” or the “carve-out” may be broken out in different amounts for the debtor’s professionals as opposed to, for example, Creditors’ Committee professionals.  These “carve-outs” can often be in a Cash Collateral Order (assuming the debtor is using the secured party’s collateral) or in a DIP Order (debtor-in-possession financing). So what does a carve-out mean?

In a recent Delaware bankruptcy case, In re Molycorp, Inc., 2017 WL 56703 (Bankr. Del. Jan. 5, 2017), the DIP Lender agreed to a $250,000 “carve-out” for the fees and expenses of the professionals retained by the Creditors’ Committee.  The Committee professionals filed a fee application far in excess of the “carve-out” amount, and as a result the DIP Lender objected to the fee application.

In overruling the objection, the Bankruptcy Judge concluded that the language in the DIP Order was not a “cap” on allowed fees.  Moreover, the Judge distinguished the current case, which was a successful reorganization, from a failed reorganization.  Had the case been a failed chapter 11, then the Judge agreed that the “carve-out” presented a limitation on how much money the Committee professionals would be entitled to out of the Lender’s collateral or money, but not so, at least not as written, in a successful reorganization.

For specialist advice regarding your specific circumstances, please contact the BCR team.

amy@bcradvisoryblog.com'
BCR team
The BCR Advisory team are a national represented firm with its main office located in Sydney. It is a boutique corporate advisory, recovery and insolvency firm that specialise in the SME market. The team’s reputation is built on their extensive experience within the industry as well as their fresh and innovative approach to problem solving for distressed business owners.Let us know what you thought about this article by leaving a comment below. Alternatively, you can get in touch with the BCR Advisory through our contact page.