Opinion ID: 430751
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: district court appeal

Text: 31 Finally, appellant contends that he was denied an opportunity to effectively appeal the bankruptcy court decision to the district court. The bankruptcy court decision was dated November 18, 1981. A notice of appeal was filed on November 27, 1981; appellant thereafter filing a designation of contents for inclusion in record on appeal and a statement of issues on appeal on December 7, 1981. In a minute order dated January 14, 1982 the district court stated: 32 On or before January 28, 1982, the parties shall file a statement of position concerning the additional findings of fact and conclusions entered by the Referee in Bankruptcy on November 18, 1981. Said statement should include, inter alia, the parties' positions on the procedural and substantive aspects of this action on appeal as it now stands and recommend disposition by this Court. In addition, appellant shall supplement the record on appeal with a transcript of any hearings which occurred on remand, and if determined necessary to appellant's position, any relevant transcripts from the New Mexico state courts. All additional material shall be filed on or before January 28, 1982. 33 Thereafter both parties filed a statement of position and considering these materials, the district court on July 2, 1982 affirmed the order of the bankruptcy court. 34 In light of the fact that appellant's case has been in the district court on two previous occasions, extensively briefed and argued, the familiarity with the case justified the court's limitation of arguments and memoranda on the matter. The district court had ordered the bankruptcy court to make an independent determination regarding appellant's willful and wanton conduct, and satisfied that it had done so, affirmed the findings. Furthermore, this court, which has before it the entire record on appeal and has carefully reviewed the state trial transcript, finds ample evidence to support the findings which were affirmed. 35 Appellant was given an opportunity to alert the district court regarding the objections to the bankruptcy court findings. The district court was then competent to make its own review, reaching a result supported by the record and this court. 36 For the foregoing reasons the decision of the district court is 37 AFFIRMED.