CP Holdings, Inc. v. California Public Employees Retirement System
Opinion of the Court
Chapter 11 bankruptcy debtor CP Holdings, Inc. (CPH) appeals from an order of the district court
The bankruptcy court, following a hearing, concluded that the prepayment premium was properly included in CALPERS’s proof of claim. On appeal, CPH argues that the bankruptcy court erred in determining that the prepayment premium became due and owing under the terms of the promissory note, that the prepayment premium constituted enforceable liquidated damages under Missouri law, and that the prepayment premium was not improper under 11 U.S.C. § 506(b).
This court reviews the bankruptcy court’s decision using the same standards as the district court; the bankruptcy court’s factual findings are reviewed for clear error, and its legal conclusions are reviewed de novo. See In re Reynolds, 425 F.3d 526, 531 (8th Cir. 2005), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 127 S.Ct. 46, 166 L.Ed.2d 20 (2006). We review de novo the construction and legal effects of the promissory note, see Ark. Rice Growers Coop. Ass’n v. Alchemy Indus., Inc., 797 F.2d 565, 567 (8th Cir. 1986), the enforceability of a liquidated damages provision under state law, see In re Direct Transit, Inc., 226 B.R. 198, 200 (8th Cir. BAP 1998), and the applicability of section 506(b), see In re White, 260 B.R. 870, 874 (8th Cir. BAP 2001). However, if section 506(b) applies, we review the bankruptcy court’s determination of reasonableness under section 506(b) for an abuse of discretion. See White, 260 B.R. at 880.
Upon de novo review, we agree with the lower courts that, under the clear language of the Note, CPH was required to pay a prepayment premium upon CALPERS’s acceleration of the debt, regardless of whether CPH actually prepaid the debt. We also agree with the lower courts that the prepayment premium was permissible as liquidated damages under Missouri law. See Paragon Group, Inc. v. Ampleman, 878 S.W.2d 878, 880-81 (Mo.Ct.App. 1994) (liquidated damages are measure of compensation which, at time of contracting, parties agree shall represent damages in case of breach; to be valid and enforceable, liquidated damages clause must reasonably forecast harm to be caused by
Accordingly, we affirm.
. The Honorable Gary A. Fenner, United States District Judge for the Western District of Missouri.
. The Honorable Arthur B. Federman, United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Western District of Missouri.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- In re: CP HOLDINGS, INC., Debtor. CP Holdings, Inc. v. California Public Employees Retirement System
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published