Court Opinion

ID: 9651547
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 16:25:38.337735+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:12:35.374082
License: Public Domain

BRANDT, Bankruptcy Judge,
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent, not because I disagree with the analysis regarding the timeliness of the complaint (I agree completely), but because there is no warrant in Bankruptcy or Judicial Codes (titles 11 and 28 of the U.S.Code, respectively), the pertinent rules, or otherwise, for requiring the administrative case to be reopened for the filing of appellant’s adversary proceeding. See Menk v. LaPaglia (In re Menk), 241 B.R. 896, 915-917 (9th Cir. BAP 1999).
Accordingly, I would hold the error harmless, 28 U.S.C. § 2111, and affirm.
On a practical level, this is concurrence in the result. But the point is not insignificant. Whether because of inertia, the inability of computer docketing programs to handle adversary filings when the main case is closed, or (one hopes not) extra fees, many clerks (and judges) require reopening in the circumstances here presented.
It seems to me that the proper response of a clerk when presented with a complaint after the closing of the main case would be to accept the complaint, and issue a notice or order bringing the question of reopening, in square and unadorned fashion, before the court for resolution, and whatever authority there is for the practice can then be presented. This parallels the routine of giving an adversary plaintiff notice that a proceeding, filed without payment of the fee, will be dismissed if it is not paid by a date certain.
Further, an adversary plaintiff required to seek reopening could, I submit, properly do so under protest, requesting waiver or refund of the reopening fee (with notice to all appropriate parties), file the complaint, *84and then appeal the reopening order and any denial of the waiver or refund request.