Opinion ID: 502461
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Violation of the Stay Order

Text: 18 AMA contends the district court had no power to consider and determine the motion for summary judgment at the time it did because no order granting relief from stay had yet been entered in the bankruptcy action. We disagree. 19 On June 24, 1986, the proceedings in the district court were automatically stayed under 11 U.S.C. Sec. 362(a) when AMA filed a Chapter 11 petition for bankruptcy. On August 4, 1986 the Band filed a motion for relief from the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. Sec. 362(d)(1) in the bankruptcy court to proceed against AMA. On September 15, 1986, the bankruptcy court notified both parties that it was granting partial relief from the stay: 20 The Tribe should have relief from the stay for a limited purpose of obtaining a determination from the District Court with respect only to the declaration regarding the validity of the 1983 contract.... [p] Counsel for the Tribe is directed to prepare an order in accordance with this letter opinion within ten days from the date hereof. 21 (Emphasis in original). 22 On September 22, 1986, the Band filed a motion for summary judgment in the district court. On October 17, 1986, the district court orally granted the Band's motion. On November 7, 1986, the bankruptcy court's order granting the Band relief from the automatic stay was filed. On November 10, 1986, the district court entered judgment as to the first claim for declaratory relief as to the validity of the 1983 agreement. 23 The district court did not enter judgment as to the claim for declaratory relief until after the bankruptcy court entered its order granting the Band partial relief from the automatic stay. Thus, the district court had jurisdiction to enter judgment granting the Band's motion for summary judgment.