Opinion ID: 2976351
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Motion for Reconsideration/New Trial

Text: Appellants filed a motion for reconsideration, or in the alternative for a new trial. It is not clear if they were relying on Rule 59(e) or Rule 60(b). Courts generally treat a motion for reconsideration as a motion to alter or amend the judgment pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 59(e). Abraham v. Anguilar (In re Aguilar), 861 F.2d 873 (5th Cir. 1988). Bankruptcy Rule 9023 makes Rule 59 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure generally applicable in bankruptcy cases. The grant or denial of a Rule 59(e) motion is within the informed discretion of the court. Huff v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co., 675 F.2d 119, 122 (6th Cir. 1982). Moreover, such a motion is an “extraordinary remedy and should be granted sparingly because of the interests in finality and conservation of scarce judicial resources.” American Textile Mfrs. Institute, Inc. v. The Limited, Inc., 179 F.R.D. 541, 547 (S.D. Ohio 1997). A court may reconsider a previous judgment: (1) to -8- accommodate an intervening change in controlling law; (2) to account for newly discovered evidence; (3) to correct a clear error of law; or (4) to prevent manifest injustice. See GenCorp, Inc. v. American Int'l Underwriters, 178 F.3d 804, 834 (6th Cir. 1999). “A motion under Rule 59(e) is not intended to provide the parties an opportunity to relitigate previously-decided matters or present the case under new theories. Rather, such motions are intended to allow for the correction of manifest errors of fact or law, or for the presentation of newly-discovered evidence.” In re Nosker, 267 B.R. 555, 564 (Bankr. S.D. Ohio 2001). “The burden of demonstrating the existence of a manifest error of fact or law rests with the party seeking reconsideration.” Id. at 565. The Panel reviews the bankruptcy court’s denial of Appellant’s motion for reconsideration or a new trial for abuse of discretion. Here, the Panel finds that the bankruptcy court’s denial was in fact reasonable. For the most part, Appellants’ motion reasserted arguments previously rejected by the bankruptcy court. Typically a motion for reconsideration that simply restates the same arguments will be denied. Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians v. Engler, 146 F.3d 367, 374 (6th Cir. 1998) (“A motion under Rule 59(e) is not an opportunity to re-argue a case.”). Appellants did try to assert “newly-discovered evidence” in the form of an agreement titled “Conditions Agreement,” purportedly intended to be attached to the purchase agreement and allegedly providing for transfer of the property free and clear of liens and encumbrances. The Panel concludes that it was not an abuse of discretion for the bankruptcy court to reject the Conditions Agreement. First, the bankruptcy court reasonably concluded that the Conditions Agreement was not newly discovered. Second, the bankruptcy court largely based its decision to grant the motion for judgment on the pleadings on its belief that 11 U.S.C. § 365(i)(2)(B) requires only that the trustee transfer such title as the trustee actually has in the property. Thus, consideration of the Conditions Agreement would not have affected the bankruptcy court’s ultimate decision.