Law Commons^™

The Continuing Puzzle Of Secured Debt, Alan Schwartz

Vanderbilt Law Review

In 1981, I wrote an article showing that no good answer had been given to the question why corporations issue some debt on a secured basis and other debt on an unsecured basis.' This showing had normative implications because claims that the institution of personal property security is efficient or otherwise desirable must be impeached if the actual purposes that security serves are unknown. Consequently, the law's favorable treatment of secured debt-for example, giving it first place in bankruptcy distributions--is without plausible support. My article did not advocate repealing the privileges attached to secured debt, however, because then--current knowledge also …

Creditors' Rights And Security Transactions -- 1960 Tennessee Survey, Forrest W. Lacey

Vanderbilt Law Review

Two cases involving mechanic's liens were decided during the period under survey. Rowland v. Lowe' presented the question of the validity of a material men's lien against the owner of land subject to a contract of sale which required the purchaser to erect improvements on the land. In order to protect the vendor's lien, which was to be retained in the deed, the contract provided:

"The purchaser obligates himself to pay all sums for labor and materials in the construction of the improvements on said lot, and in no event shall there be any lien on the lot of ground …

Creditors' Rights And Security Transactions--1959 Tennessee Survey, Forrest W. Lacey

Vanderbilt Law Review

There were few cases of interest in the period under survey. Rone Jewelry Company v. Conley' presented the question of what constitutes "willful and malicious injuries to the property of another" within the meaning of section 17 of the Bankruptcy Act. A debt of this character is not released by a discharge in bankruptcy.

In the instant case the defendant had purchased silverware and a ring from plaintiff under a title retention contract. Defendant then sent the property to his mother in New Jersey. Following a discharge in bankruptcy granted to the purchaser, the seller brought action against the purchaser.

Creditors' Rights And Security Transactions -- 1955 Tennessee Survey, Paul J. Hartman

Vanderbilt Law Review

Application to Bankruptcy Proceedings of Federal Rules Concerning Compulsory Counter Claims: In Meacham v. Haley' the Tennessee Court of Appeals was faced with the problem of to what extent Rule 13 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure concerning compulsory counter claims applies to a bankruptcy proceeding. In the instant case a trustee in bankruptcy of the Dr. Pepper Bottling Company sued the defendants, Haley and Johnston, for alleged fraud practiced on the bankrupt debtor prior to the bankruptcy. However, some time before the present case, Haley and Johnston had filed claims in the bankruptcy matter of Dr. Pepper Bottling …