Does a secured creditor have an absolute right to acquire its collateral, which is sold pursuant to a plan of reorganization, by credit bidding its debt? The Third Circuit Court of Appeals, in a strict constructionist opinion, has just answered this question in the negative.

The Court of Appeals in In re Philadelphia Newspapers, LLC

The United States District Court for the District of Delaware, in Goody’s Family Clothing, Inc. et al. v. Mountaineer Prop. Co. II, LLC, et al. (In re Goody’s Family Clothing, Inc. et al.), 2009 WL 903370 (D. Del. March 31, 2009), held that “stub” rent owed to commercial landlords should be accorded administrative expense priority