International Bankruptcy: International Bankruptcy

The purpose of Chapter 15, and the Model Law on which it is based, is to provide effective mechanisms for dealing with insolvency cases involving debtors, assets, claimants, and other parties of interest involving more than one country.
Generally, a chapter 15 case is ancillary to a primary proceeding brought in another country, typically the debtor's home country. As an alternative, the debtor or a creditor may commence a full chapter 7 or chapter 11 case in the United States if the assets in the United States are sufficiently complex to merit a full-blown domestic bankruptcy case.

Title 11 of the United States Code, also known as the United States Bankruptcy Code, is the source of bankruptcy law in the United States Code. Title 11 is subdivided into nine chapters in which chapter 15 is related to international bankruptcy.

The original 1978 Bankruptcy Code had a different Chapter 15 dealing with the United States Trustee Program, which it established as a trial in some judicial districts to assume roles which formerly belonged to the bankruptcy judge and others, including the selection and oversight of private trustees in individual cases. To know more about it click on the above link.

This is a database of all Chapter 15 cases filed in the U.S. since 2005. It is searchable by jurisdiction and by judge. Related cases are also listed. Where available, links to the PACER docket is provided.

Increasing globalization and cross-border interdependence of business enterprises increase the likelihood that bankruptcy judges, wherever located, will see the occasional chapter 15 case
filed in their jurisdictions. As with all novel proceedings, that chapter 15 filing may raise unique case-management questions. This guide attempts to help judges in handling transnational bankruptcy cases.