Ritzen Group v. Jackson Masonry
In brief
The Supreme Court upheld the ruling: a complete refusal to lift the automatic stay is final and can be appealed immediately.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided 9-0 · January 14, 2020 · Opinion by Justice Ginsburg
- What it’s about
- This bankruptcy case arose after a creditor tried to continue its breach-of-contract lawsuit against a company that had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
- Who it affects
- A party seeking review of this kind of complete denial must appeal right away, rather than wait until the entire bankruptcy case ends. The decision settles the timing question under §158(a)(1).
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The Supreme Court considered whether a bankruptcy court’s order denying relief from the automatic stay is a final order that must be appealed right away.
Bankruptcy cases can produce separate rulings before the whole case ends, so courts must decide which rulings can be appealed immediately.
Question presented
Whether an order denying a motion for relief from the automatic stay is a final order under 28 U.S.C. § 158(a) (1).
What the Court decided
Holding
A bankruptcy court’s order unreservedly denying relief from the automatic stay constitutes a final, immediately appealable order under §158(a). 906 F. 3d 494, affirmed.
- Result
- Affirmed
The vote
What's next
The Supreme Court's work on this case is complete, and its ruling remains in place. Similar complete refusals to lift an automatic stay can be appealed immediately under §158(a)(1).
Documents
Docket activity
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
AI analysis generated: Decision Record
New analysis added
Opinion added: opinion
Show 2 moreShow fewer
Brief added: Petition
Brief added: Questions Presented
More questions
- What did the Supreme Court decide in Ritzen Group?
- It upheld the Sixth Circuit's ruling and decided that a complete refusal to lift the automatic stay is final and immediately appealable.
- What made the automatic stay important in this case?
- It paused Ritzen Group's effort to continue its lawsuit over an alleged broken contract after Jackson Masonry filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The dispute was when that denial could be appealed.
- How did the ruling affect appeal timing?
- A complete refusal to lift the automatic stay can be appealed immediately under §158(a)(1), rather than after the bankruptcy case ends.
- What happens next in Ritzen Group?
- The Supreme Court's work on this case is complete, and the ruling remains in place.
Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.