In Re Banner Iron Works

69 B.R. 548, 1987 Bankr. LEXIS 76
CourtUnited States Bankruptcy Court, E.D. Missouri
DecidedJanuary 28, 1987
Docket19-40509
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 69 B.R. 548 (In Re Banner Iron Works) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States Bankruptcy Court, E.D. Missouri primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
In Re Banner Iron Works, 69 B.R. 548, 1987 Bankr. LEXIS 76 (Mo. 1987).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION

DAVID P. McDONALD, Bankruptcy Judge.

FINDINGS OF FACT

(1) At some point prior to the commencement of the instant bankruptcy case, Banner Iron Works (“Banner”) and the Gilbane Building Company (“Gilbane”) entered into a construction contract, known as the Ball-ston Common Mall Construction Contract.

(2) In connection with this contract, the American Insurance Company (“American”) issued payment and performance bonds naming itself as surety and Banner as principal thereon.

(3) On November 7, 1984, an order for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code was entered on Banner’s voluntary Chapter 11 petition.

(4) On November 30, 1984, the Court fixed March 26, 1985, as the last date for filing claims against Banner.

(5) On December 6, 1984, the Court approved Banner’s motion to reject its exec-utory contract with Gilbane.

(6) On March 26, 1985, American filed Proof of Claim No. 424 in the sum of $929,441.00. This claim was filed as an unsecured claim arising from American’s contingent liability to Gilbane as a result of Banner’s breach of its contract with Gil-bane and American’s obligation under its performance bond on the Ballston Common Mall project.

(7) Gilbane has not filed a Proof of Claim in this case.

(8) American has not filed a Proof of Claim in this case on behalf of Gilbane.

(9) On May 7, 1985, Debtor objected to American’s Proof of Claim No. 424 on a number of grounds, including but not limited to, its being not allowable as contingent under 11 U.S.C. § 502(e).

(10) On June 10, 1985, the Court authorized the Creditors’ Committee to intervene in this matter and join in Banner’s Objection to American’s claim.

(11) On June 24, 1985, the Court filed Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Order respecting American’s Claims 425, 426, 428, and 429, a copy of which is attached hereto as an Appendix and incorporated by reference herein.

(12) On June 26, 1985, Banner moved to dismiss American’s Proof of Claim No. 424 on a number of grounds, including but not limited to, its being not allowable as contingent under 11 U.S.C. § 502(e) and its being barred under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, collateral estoppel and stare decisis.

(13) On July 15, 1985, the Court confirmed Debtor’s First Amended Plan of Reorganization under which American’s claim, if allowed, will be accorded Class 12 treatment reserved for certain unsecured creditors.

(14) The parties have not only fully briefed the issues, but at Banner’s request also engaged in discovery on this matter. American’s Answers to Banner’s Interrogatories were filed on February 25, 1986, and show that by check dated August 23, 1985, and honored August 30, 1985, American paid Gilbane $619,100.00 on behalf of Banner, its insured, in connection with the Ball-ston Common Mall project.

(15) Any of the foregoing findings of fact deemed to be conclusions of law are hereby incorporated into the conclusions of law.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

(1) This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and subject matter of this proceeding pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1334, 151, and *550 157 and Local Rule 29 of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. This is a “core proceeding” pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2)(B), which the Court may hear and determine.

(2) Since American’s Answers to Interrogatories are before the Court, the Court treats Banner’s Motion to Dismiss as one for summary judgment under Bankruptcy Rule 7056. In making the foregoing findings, therefore, the Court has found the facts by considering the record in the light most favorable to American.

(3) American could have filed a claim on behalf of Gilbane; however, under Section 501 of the Bankruptcy Code and Bankruptcy Rule 3005 neither Gilbane nor American on behalf of Gilbane had a legal obligation to file a claim in this case. American could and did file a timely claim on its own behalf.

(4) A claim cannot be disallowed if it has not been filed. Gilbane, not having filed a claim or having had one filed on its behalf, has not had its claim disallowed. To the extent conclusion of law 1(b) in the Court’s June 24, 1985 Order (see Appendix), held to the contrary, that holding was erroneous and is hereby overruled.

(5) Section 502(e)(1)(B) of the Bankruptcy Code requires the disallowance of a claim for reimbursement or contribution “to the extent that ... such claim is contingent as of the time of allowance or disal-lowance of such claim.” “Under § 502(a), a claim filed pursuant to § 501 is deemed allowed unless objected to. Thus, if no objection is filed to a claim, the ‘time of allowance or disallowance’ would be the date of filing. An objection on a § 502(e)(1) ground will trigger a hearing and ruling on the objection (See, Bankruptcy Rule 3007) and thus, the ‘time of allowance or disallowance’ will be the date of the ruling.” Matter of Baldwin-United, Corp., 55 B.R. 885, 894-95 (Bankr.S.D.Ohio 1985).

(7) American’s claim at least in the amount of $619,100.00 has not been contingent since August 30, 1985, the date its check for that amount to Gilbane was honored. Its claim, therefore, is not contingent as of this date, the date of the ruling on Banner’s Motion to Dismiss.

(8)Section 502(e) of the Bankruptcy Code does not provide grounds for disallowing American’s Proof of Claim No. 424.

(9) American’s Proof of Claim No. 424 is not barred from allowance under the doctrines of the law of the case, res judica-ta, collateral estoppel or stare decisis.

(10) An Order consistent with Memorandum Opinion will be filed simultaneously therewith.

(11) Any of the foregoing conclusions of law deemed to be findings of fact are hereby incorporated into the findings of fact.

APPENDIX

In re BANNER IRON WORKS, Debtor.

AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY, Plaintiff -v-BANNER IRON WORKS and GILBANE BUILDING COMPANY, S.S. ADMIRAL PARTNERS, PEPPER/TARL-TON, BI-STATE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY, Defendants

AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY, Plaintiff, -v-BANNER IRON WORKS and GILBANE BUILDING COMPANY, BETHLEHEM STEEL COMPANY, CEN-TERRE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, UNITED STATES STEEL COMPANY and WOODSTOCK CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS, Defendants.

Case No. 84-01936(2) Claims 425, 426, 428 and 429.

Adv. No. 84-0398(2).

Adv. No. 84-0432(2).

June 24, 1985

FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW AND ORDER

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