Court Opinion

ID: 9497236
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 16:46:29.486743+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:58:04.585728
License: Public Domain

BRUNETTI, Circuit Judge,
concurring.
I write a separate concurrence because on the facts of this case I would go one step further and hold that a creditor’s motivation is not dispositive or even relevant in deciding whether to grant a § 503(b) claim.
When interpreting a statute, “[o]ur first step ... is to determine whether the language at issue has a plain and unambiguous meaning with regard to the particular dispute in the case.” Robinson v. Shell Oil Co., 519 U.S. 337, 340, 117 S.Ct. 843, 136 L.Ed.2d 808 (1997). This court’s inquiry must end if the statutory language is unambiguous and “the statutory scheme is coherent and consistent.” United States v. Ron Pair Enterprises, Inc., 489 U.S. 235, 240, 109 S.Ct. 1026, 103 L.Ed.2d 290 (1989). If the text of the statute includes undefined terms — as is the situation here where Congress failed to fully define “substantial contribution” — we construe those terms to have their ordinary meanings. Fed. Deposit Ins. Corp. v. Meyer, 510 U.S. 471, 476, 114 S.Ct. 996, 127 L.Ed.2d 308 (1994). When the plain language of the statute can be interpreted in more than one way, the court must determine the more plausible interpretation of the language Congress chose. United States v. Hohri, 482 U.S. 64, 70, 107 S.Ct. 2246, 96 L.Ed.2d 51 (1987).
As noted in the opinion, § 503(b)(3) provides that “[ajfter notice and a hearing, there shall be allowed administrative expenses including the actual, necessary expenses ... incurred by ... a creditor ... in making a substantial contribution in a case under Chapter 9 or 11 of this title.” Nothing in § 503(b) indicates that a creditor’s motivation has any relevance in whether the creditor can recover fees and expenses under § 503(b). Hall Fin. Group v. DP Partners Ltd. P’ship (In re DP Partners Ltd. P’ship), 106 F.3d 667, 673 (5th Cir.1997) (noting that “nothing in the Bankruptcy Code requires a self-deprecating, altruistic intent as a prerequisite to recovery of fees and expenses under section 503.”).
Moreover, the legislative record gives no indication that a creditor’s motivation must be taken into consideration when determining if a “substantial contribution” has been made. The term “substantial contribution” is derived from Bankruptcy Act sections 242 and 243 [section 642 and 643 of former title 11], S. Report No. 95-598, at 66-67 (1978), reprinted in 1978 U.S.C.C.A.N. 5787, 5852-53. Sections 642 and 643, like § 503(b), make no mention of the creditor’s motivation for contributing to the plan. Former § 643 provides that, “the judge shall give consideration only to the services which contributed to the plan confirmed or to the refusal of confirmation of a plan, or which were beneficial in the administration of the estate.” Similarly, the legislative history of § 503 is silent on prohibiting self-interested creditors from being reimbursed for expenses. S.Rep. No. 95-598, at 66-67 (1978), reprinted in 1978 U.S.C.C.A.N. 5787, 5852-53; H.R.Rep. No. 95-595, at 355 (1978), reprinted in 1978 U.S.C.C.A.N. 5963, 6311. *1099As the Fifth Circuit noted, “if Congress intended to withhold reimbursement for administrative expenses under these circumstances, at least some indication of that intent would appear in the statute or its legislative history.” In re DP Partners Ltd. P’ship, 106 F.3d at 673, n. 24.
Lastly, this interpretation of § 503(b) is the most plausible interpretation of the language Congress chose. Congress included creditors in the class of those who may receive administrative expenses and fees for substantially contributing to a bankruptcy plan. See 11 U.S.C. § 503(b)(3). It would be the unique creditor indeed who would not be motivated by self-interest when becoming involved in a bankruptcy proceeding. Because there is no indication that a creditor’s motivation plays any role in whether a creditor can recover under § 503(b), I would not add that altruistic requirement into the statute. To do so would read into the statute words that are not there and a prohibition on recovery that was not intended.