No. 19-357October Term 2019Decided Jan 14, 2021Updated May 23, 2026
Chicago v. Fulton
This case asked whether Chicago violated the Bankruptcy Code’s automatic stay by keeping cars it had impounded before the owners filed for bankruptcy.
Case status
Decided 8-0 · January 14, 2021 · Opinion by Justice Alito
Read the opinion (PDF)- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released Jan 14, 2021
- What it's about
This case asked whether Chicago violated the Bankruptcy Code’s automatic stay by keeping cars it had impounded before the owners filed for bankruptcy. The Supreme Court held that simply holding onto the cars after the bankruptcy filing, without taking further action, does not by itself violate the automatic stay.
Question presented
Whether an entity that is passively retaining possession of property in which a bankruptcy estate has an interest has an affirmative obligation under the Bankruptcy Code's automatic stay, 11 U.S.C § 362, to return that property to the debtor or trustee immediately upon the filing of the bankruptcy petition.
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit / Decision released Jan 14, 2021
- Area
Decided Supreme Court case
Timing
Decided January 14, 2021
The Court released its decision on January 14, 2021 without hearing oral argument.
Documents
Activity
Docket activity3
Brief added: Questions Presented
May 23, 2026 | Court records
Opinion added: opinion
Jan 14, 2021 | Court records
Brief added: Petition
Sep 17, 2019 | Court records
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Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jul 25, 2026
- Method
- Methodology