Bumb v. Valley Electric Company
Decision Date | 26 November 1969 |
Docket Number | No. 22687.,22687. |
Citation | 419 F.2d 107 |
Parties | A. J. BUMB, as Trustee in Bankruptcy for the Estate of Thompson Electric Co., Bankrupt, Appellant, v. VALLEY ELECTRIC COMPANY, a California corporation, Appellee. |
Court | U.S. Court of Appeals — Ninth Circuit |
Robert A. Fisher (argued), of Craig, Weller & Laugharn, Los Angeles, Cal., for appellant.
William T. Selby (argued), Ventura, Cal., for appellee.
Before JERTBERG, BROWNING and HUFSTEDLER, Circuit Judges.
Appellant, plaintiff in the district court, appeals from a judgment of the district court denying relief sought against appellee, defendant in the district court, on a complaint seeking recovery of certain alleged voidable bankruptcy preferences under Section 60 of the National Bankruptcy Act (11 U.S.C. § 96).
The district court, inter alia, concluded that the adjudication in bankruptcy of bankrupt was void and without the jurisdiction of the court. This conclusion is based upon findings of fact made by the court that two of the three persons claiming to be creditors of the bankrupt, who filed the involuntary petition, were in fact not creditors of the bankrupt.
We agree with appellant's contention that the court erred in reaching such conclusion.
The record discloses that the adjudication of bankruptcy was based on an involuntary petition and the written consent of the bankrupt. No proceedings to review, or appeal from, the order of adjudication was ever taken.
It has been settled law for many years that an adjudication of bankruptcy is no more susceptible to collateral attack than other judgments or decrees of courts of competent jurisdiction.
In the case of Huttig Mfg. Co. v. Edwards, 160 F. 619 (8th Cir. 1908), which, as here, involved a plenary suit by a trustee in bankruptcy to set aside a voidable preference, the Court stated, on page 622:
To the same effect see Teiger v. Stephan Oderwald, Inc., 31 F.Supp. 626 (S.D., N.Y., 1940).
The fact that the district court erred in concluding that the adjudication of bankruptcy was void does not require, under the record in this case, a reversal of the judgment. This because of findings of fact made by the district court on other...
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Thomas v. Gulfway Shopping Center, Inc., Civ. A. No. 66-C-118.
...absence of any requisite condition under § 60(b) negates the existence of a preference that is voidable by the Act. Bumb v. Valley Electric Co., 419 F.2d 107 (9th Cir. 1969); 3 Collier, Bankruptcy Par. 60.36, at pg. 874 (14th ed. 1964); 4 Remington on Bankruptcy § 1657, at pg. 197. The law ......
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Gentry v. Bodan
...The absence of any one of the requisite elements under § 60a(1) or 60b negates the existence of a preference. Bumb v. Valley Electric Co., 419 F.2d 107 (9th Cir. 1969); Thomas v. Gulfway Shopping Center, Inc., 320 F.Supp. 756 (S.D.Tex., 1970); 3 Collier, supra, ¶ 60.36 at p. 874. The burden......
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In re Belize Airways Ltd.
...petition are merely procedural and have been waived by the debtor's consent to the entry of an order for relief. Bumb v. Valley Electric Company, 419 F.2d 107 (9th Cir. 1969) (defendant/creditor in preference action commenced by Trustee may not collaterally attack adjudication on the ground......
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Burkett v. SHELL OIL COMPANY
...§ 47, nor did Burkett move for reargument. A bankruptcy proceeding cannot be collaterally attacked or reopened. Bumb v. Valley Electric Co., 419 F.2d 107 (9th Cir. 1969). The per curiam opinion (Appeal No. 71-1027) was issued September 13, 1971. Appellant elected not to seek a rehearing, no......