In Re: Appletree

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

In Re: Appletree

Opinion

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

_____________________

No. 99-20260 _____________________

In The Matter Of: APPLETREE MARKETS, INC.,

Debtor. ---------------------------

CENTRAL STATES, SOUTHEAST AND SOUTHWEST AREAS PENSION FUND,

Appellant-Cross-Appellee,

versus

LONG-TERM CREDIT BANK OF JAPAN, LTD.,

Appellee-Cross-Appellant. _________________________________________________________________

Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas (H-98-CV-3163) _________________________________________________________________ April 10, 2000

Before POLITZ, JOLLY, and BARKSDALE, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:*

After reviewing the record, studying the briefs, and

considering the points made by counsel at oral argument, we agree

with the bankruptcy court, as affirmed by the district court, that

the release provided under the Plan is effective to preclude the

claims Central States now attempts to raise against LTCB.

* Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR. R. 47.5.4. Furthermore, Central States is entitled to no relief under

Bankruptcy Rule 9024 on the basis that the bankruptcy court acted

in excess of its authority or jurisdiction in discharging the

liability of a third party. At best, the bankruptcy court’s orders

in this respect are voidable, not void, and as such can not be

collaterally attacked in this proceeding. See Republic Supply Co.

v. Shoaf,

815 F.2d 1046

(5th Cir. 1987); In re Edwards,

962 F.2d 641, 644

(7th Cir. 1992); 11 Wright & Miller, Federal Practice and

Procedure § 2862, at pp. 322-32 (1995).

We thus conclude that the judgment of the district court,

affirming the judgment of the bankruptcy granting summary judgment

for LTCB, should be, and the same is

A F F I R M E D.1

1 The judgment of the district court, affirming the judgment of the bankruptcy court, denying LTCB’s request for attorney’s fees pursuant to

29 U.S.C. §§ 1401

& 1451 is AFFIRMED.

2

Reference

Status
Unpublished