{"id":"court_ctb_2532_0","court":"CTB","case_no":"22-50073","doc_number":2532,"sub_number":0,"doc_type":"ORDER","filed_date":null,"title":"UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION | -------------------------------------------","summary_zh":null,"summary_en":null,"body_en":"# **UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION**\n\n| ---------------------------------------------------------------      | x                       |\n|----------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------|\n| :<br>In re:<br>:                                                     | Chapter 11              |\n| :<br>HO WAN KWOK, et al.,<br>:                                       | Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) |\n| :<br>Debtors.1<br>:                                                  | Jointly Administered    |\n| :<br>--------------------------------------------------------------- | x                       |\n\n## **CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEE'S MOTION, PURSUANT TO 11 U.S.C.** § **105(a), FEDERAL RULES OF BANKRUPTCY PROCEDURE 7016, 7026, AND 9006, AND DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT LOCAL BANKRUPTCY RULE 7016-1, TO APPROVE PROCEDURES APPLICABLE TO AVOIDANCE CLAIM ADVERSARY PROCEEDINGS**\n\nLuc A. Despins, as chapter 11 trustee (the \"Trustee\") for Ho Wan Kwok (the \"Debtor\"), hereby respectfully moves (the \"Motion\"), pursuant to section 105(a) of Title 11 of the United States Code (the \"Bankruptcy Code\"), Rules 7016 and 7026 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (the \"Bankruptcy Rules\"), and Rule 7016-1 of the District of Connecticut Local Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (the \"Local Bankruptcy Rules\"), for entry of an order, in the form of the proposed order attached hereto as **Exhibit A** (the \"Proposed Order\"), establishing certain procedures applicable to avoidance claim adversary proceedings related to the above-captioned chapter 11 case (the \"Chapter 11 Case\" or the \"Main Case\"). In support of the Motion, the Trustee states the following:\n\n<sup>1</sup> The Debtors in these chapter 11 cases are Ho Wan Kwok (also known as Guo Wengui, Miles Guo, and Miles Kwok, as well as numerous other aliases) (last four digits of tax identification number: 9595), Genever Holdings LLC (last four digits of tax identification number: 8202) and Genever Holdings Corporation. The mailing address for the Trustee, Genever Holdings LLC, and the Genever Holdings Corporation is Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 c/o Luc A. Despins, as Trustee for the Estate of Ho Wan Kwok (solely for purposes of notices and communications).\n\n#### **JURISDICTION, VENUE, AND STATUTORY BASES**\n\n1. The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut (the \"Court\") has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 and 1334 and the *Standing Order of Reference* from the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. This is a core proceeding within the meaning of 28 U.S.C. § 157(b).\n\n2. Venue in this District is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 and 1409.\n\n3. The statutory bases for the relief requested herein are section 105(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, Bankruptcy Rules 7016, 7026 and 9006, and Local Bankruptcy Rule 7016-1.\n\n#### **BACKGROUND**\n\n4. On February 15, 2022 (the \"Petition Date\"), the Debtor filed with the Court a voluntary petition for relief under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.\n\n5. On March 21, 2022, the United States Trustee appointed an official committee of unsecured creditors (\"Committee\") in this Chapter 11 Case. No examiner has been appointed in the Chapter 11 Case.\n\n6. On June 15, 2022, the Court entered a memorandum of decision and order [ECF No. 465] (the \"Trustee Order\") directing the United States Trustee to appoint a chapter 11 trustee in the Chapter 11 Case. Pursuant to the Trustee Order, the United States Trustee selected Luc A. Despins as the Trustee.\n\n7. Since the Trustee's appointment, the Trustee has investigated the Debtor's financial affairs, including, among other things, prepetition transfers of interests of the Debtor in property and postpetition transfers of property of the Debtor's chapter 11 estate that were not authorized by the Court or under the Bankruptcy Code.\n\n2\n\n8. Prior to February 15, 2024, the Trustee expects to commence numerous adversary proceedings to avoid and recover certain prepetition and postpetition transfers, *i.e.*, the Avoidance Actions (as defined herein). Additional Avoidance Actions may follow after February 15, 2024. *See Motion for Entry of Order Extending Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions Under Bankruptcy Code Sections 108, 546(a), and 549* [ECF No. 2509].\n\n### **REQUESTED RELIEF**\n\n9. To manage the many anticipated Avoidance Actions efficiently, the Trustee submits that it is appropriate to establish procedures that will facilitate the orderly administration and progress of these cases. Accordingly, by this Motion, the Trustee proposes that the Court implement the procedures set forth herein (as set forth below, the \"Avoidance Action Procedures\").\n\n10. In general, the Avoidance Action Procedures: (a) extend defendants' time to answer or otherwise respond to complaints in Avoidance Actions and the Trustee's time to respond to any motions to dismiss; (b) provide for the sealed filing of avoidance complaints containing information that was designated confidential or highly confidential by a producing party pursuant to the Protective Order and/or P.O. Addendum (as defined herein) and for the provision of such complaints to defendants that agree to become bound by the Protective Order and P.O. Addendum; and (c) establish a procedure for the parties to applicable adversary proceedings to submit proposed scheduling orders, subject to Court approval, that alleviates the need for the automatic scheduling of initial pretrial conferences. 2 Accordingly, the Trustee submits that the implementation of the Avoidance Procedures will streamline litigation, minimize the burden of such litigation on all parties, as well as on the Court, and ensure that all such litigation proceeds in a fair and efficient manner.\n\n<sup>2</sup> The Avoidance Action procedures provide that if any party to an Avoidance Action believes that a pretrial conference is necessary to address any issues, such a conference may be requested at any time.\n\n11. The proposed Avoidance Action Procedures are as follows:\n\na. The Avoidance Action Procedures shall apply to any adversary proceedings commenced by the Trustee on or after February 1, 2024, in which the Trustee asserts claims solely under sections 544, 547, 548, 549, and 550 of the Bankruptcy Code (the \"Avoidance Actions\").\n\nb. Upon filing a complaint commencing any Avoidance Action (an \"Avoidance Complaint\"), the Trustee shall file a Notice of Applicability of Avoidance Action Procedures in a form approved by the Court (the \"Avoidance Action Procedures Notice\"). The Trustee shall serve a copy of the Avoidance Action Procedures Notice on each defendant in an Avoidance Action (an \"Avoidance Defendant\") in the same manner as the Summons and Avoidance Complaint.\n\nc. Motions affecting all Avoidance Actions shall be filed in the Main Case only, *provided, however,* notice of such motions and notice of any orders resolving such motions shall be filed on the docket in the Avoidance Actions. Any responses to such motions shall be filed in the Main Case only.\n\nd. To the extent that an Avoidance Complaint (including exhibits) contains information that is designated confidential or highly confidential pursuant to the Protective Order [Main Case ECF No. 923] (the \"Protective Order\") and the Stipulated Addendum to Protective Order [Main Case ECF No. 2460] (the \"P.O. Addendum\"), the Trustee may file the Avoidance Complaint under seal (a \"Sealed Avoidance Complaint\"), *provided, however*, the Trustee shall file unsealed a copy of the Avoidance Complaint that redacts any information that is designated confidential or highly confidential (a \"Redacted Avoidance Complaint\"). Service of a Redacted Avoidance Complaint shall constitute sufficient service of a complaint as required by Bankruptcy Rule 7004. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Protective Order and the P.O. Addendum, upon any Avoidance Defendant and its counsel each executing copies of Exhibit A to the Protective Order and, if applicable, Exhibit A to the P.O. Addendum, the Trustee may provide a copy of the unredacted Avoidance Complaint to such Avoidance Defendant.\n\ne. An Avoidance Defendant's time to respond to any Avoidance Complaint (the \"Response Date\") shall be sixty (60) days from the date that service is effected on such Avoidance Defendant, *provided, however*, that, without further order of the Court, the Trustee and any Avoidance Defendant may stipulate to further extend the defendant's Response Date up to ninety (90) additional days. Any such stipulation shall be made in writing and filed on the docket in the applicable adversary proceeding.\n\nf. In the event that any Avoidance Defendant responds to an Avoidance Complaint by filing a motion pursuant to Civil Rule 12(b), the Trustee shall have sixty (60) days to respond to such motion.\n\ng. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, no initial pretrial conference pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 7016 will be held prior to discovery in any Avoidance Action and, accordingly, the Summons issued by the Clerk of the Court and served by the Trustee will not include a date for a pretrial conference. To the extent that a party to an Avoidance Action believes that a pretrial conference is necessary to address scheduling or other issues, any party may request such a conference at any time by filing a request on the docket in the Avoidance Action.\n\nh. As soon as practicable following the Response Date, the parties shall confer pursuant to Civil Rule 26(f) (the \"Initial Case Conference\") and, thereafter, the parties shall either file a joint proposed scheduling order governing discovery, summary judgment, and other pretrial proceedings, subject to Court approval. If the Court does not approve the joint proposed scheduling order, the Court shall schedule a pretrial conference to determine a scheduling order. If the parties do not agree on a joint proposed scheduling order, the parties shall request a pretrial conference to determine a scheduling order.\n\ni. Any party to an Avoidance Action may request that the Avoidance Action Procedures be modified as applied in such Avoidance Action for good cause shown. Such modification shall be requested by motion filed in the applicable Avoidance Action.\n\n## **BASIS FOR RELIEF REQUESTED**\n\n12. The Court has the authority to adopt and implement the Avoidance Action Procedures governing the litigation of the Avoidance Actions pursuant to Bankruptcy Rules 7016 and 7026, section 105(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, and relevant precedent in this Circuit.\n\n13. Bankruptcy Rule 7016 affords the Court considerable discretion to adopt and implement procedures that will aid in the administration of the Avoidance Actions. For example, Bankruptcy Rule 7016(a) incorporates Civil Rule 16, thus authorizing the Court to consider the following in connection with pretrial proceedings:\n\n(1) expediting disposition of the action; (2) establishing early and continuing control so that the case will not be protracted because of lack of management;\n\n- (3) discouraging wasteful pretrial activities;\n- (4) improving the quality of the trial through more thorough preparation; and\n- (5) facilitating settlement.\n\n14. Moreover, Bankruptcy Rule 7016(b) gives the Court considerable flexibility in case management and scheduling. Likewise, Local Bankruptcy Rule 7016-1(a) provides for deviation from the generally applicable pretrial conference procedure if ordered by the Court.\n\n15. In addition to the broad authority granted to the Court under the Bankruptcy Rules, section 105(a) of the Bankruptcy Code provides in relevant part that the \"court may issue any order, process, or judgment that is necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this title.\" 11 U.S.C. § 105(a).\n\nSection 105 specifically codifies what are traditionally called 'inherent powers' to give the Bankruptcy Courts the necessary ability to manage the cases on their docket. It is imperative that courts have the necessary authority to manage the arguments and conduct of parties to ensure judicial efficiency and to do justice. These powers are \"necessary to the exercise of all others.\"\n\n*Johnson v. McDow (In re Johnson)*, 236 B.R. 510, 521 (D.D.C. 1999); *see also In re Walker*, 195\n\nB.R. 187, 208 (Bankr. D.N.H. 1996) (noting inherent power of courts to \"manage litigation pending before\" them).\n\n16. Moreover, courts in this Circuit have frequently entered orders establishing litigation procedures similar to the ones sought herein to manage large volumes of avoidance cases. *See, e.g., In re BGI, Inc., f/k/a Border Group, Inc.*, Bankr. S.D.N.Y. case no. 11-10614 [ECF No. 2922] (Oct. 23, 2012); *In re Bernard L. Madoff*, Bankr. S.D.N.Y. case no. 08-01789 [ECF No. 3141] (Nov. 10, 2010). In each of the foregoing cases, the trustee requested and the Bankruptcy Court approved the procedures prior to the filing of the avoidance actions. *See In re BGI, Inc., f/k/a Border Group, Inc.*, Bankr. S.D.N.Y. case no. 11-10614 [ECF No. 2876] ¶ 12 (Sept. 27, 2012); *In re Bernard L. Madoff*, Bankr. S.D.N.Y. case no. 08-01789 [ECF No. 3058] ¶ 7 (Oct. 21, 2010).\n\n### **NO PRIOR REQUEST**\n\n17. No other or prior motion for the relief sought herein has been made to this Court or any other Court.\n\n## *[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY BLANK.]*\n\n**WHEREFORE**, the Court should grant this Motion by entry of the Proposed Order and\n\ngrant such other and further relief as is just and proper.\n\nDated: January 29, 2024 New Haven, Connecticut\n\nBy: */s/ Patrick R. Linsey*\n\nPatrick R. Linsey (ct29437) NEUBERT, PEPE & MONTEITH, P.C. 195 Church Street, 13th Floor New Haven, Connecticut 06510 (203) 781-2847 plinsey@npmlaw.com\n\n*and*\n\nNicholas A. Bassett *(*admitted *pro hac vice*) PAUL HASTINGS LLP 2050 M Street NW Washington, D.C., 20036 (202) 551-1902 nicholasbassett@paulhastings.com\n\n*and*\n\nAvram E. Luft *(*admitted *pro hac vice*) Douglass Barron (admitted *pro hac vice*) PAUL HASTINGS LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, New York 10166 (212) 318-6079 aviluft@paulhastings.com\n\n*Counsel for the Chapter 11 Trustee*\n\n## **EXHIBIT A**\n\n**(Proposed Order)**\n\n# **UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION**\n\n| ---------------------------------------------------------------      | x                       |\n|----------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------|\n| :<br>In re:<br>:                                                     | Chapter 11              |\n| :<br>HO WAN KWOK, et al.,<br>:                                       | Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) |\n| :<br>Debtors.1<br>:                                                  | Jointly Administered    |\n| :<br>--------------------------------------------------------------- | x                       |\n\n## **[PROPOSED] ORDER APPROVING PROCEDURES APPLICABLE TO AVOIDANCE CLAIM ADVERSARY PROCEEDINGS**\n\nUpon the motion (the \"Motion\")<sup>2</sup> of Luc A. Despins, in his capacity as the chapter 11 trustee (the \"Trustee\") appointed in the chapter 11 case of Ho Wan Kwok (the \"Debtor\"), for the entry of an order (this \"Order\"), pursuant to section 105(a) of Title 11 of the United States Code (the \"Bankruptcy Code\"), Rules 7016, 7026, and 9006 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (the \"Bankruptcy Rules\"), and Ruel 7016-1 of the District of Connecticut Local Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (the \"Local Bankruptcy Rules\"), establishing certain procedures applicable to avoidance claim adversary proceedings related to the above-captioned chapter 11 case; and this Court having jurisdiction to consider the Motion and the relief requested therein in accordance with 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 and 1334 and the *Standing Order of Reference* from the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut; and consideration of the Motion and the relief requested therein being a core proceeding pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 157(b); and venue being proper in this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 and 1409; and the Court having found that the relief\n\n<sup>1</sup> The Debtors in these chapter 11 cases are Ho Wan Kwok (also known as Guo Wengui, Miles Guo, and Miles Kwok, as well as numerous other aliases) (last four digits of tax identification number: 9595), Genever Holdings LLC (last four digits of tax identification number: 8202) and Genever Holdings Corporation. The mailing address for the Trustee, Genever Holdings LLC, and the Genever Holdings Corporation is Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 c/o Luc A. Despins, as Trustee for the Estate of Ho Wan Kwok (solely for purposes of notices and communications).\n\n<sup>2</sup> Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Order have the meanings ascribed to them in the Motion.\n\nrequested in the Motion is in the best interest of the Debtor's chapter 11 estate, its creditors, and all parties in interest; and due and sufficient notice of the Motion having been given under the particular circumstances; and it appearing that no other or further notice need be given; and upon all of the proceedings had before this Court; and any objections to the relief requested herein having been withdrawn or overruled on the merits; and after due deliberation and sufficient cause appearing therefor, it is hereby ORDERED THAT:\n\n1. The Motion is granted as set forth herein.\n\n2. The Court hereby orders that the following procedures (the \"Avoidance Action\n\nProcedures\") shall govern the Avoidance Actions (as defined herein):\n\na. The Avoidance Action Procedures shall apply to any adversary proceedings commenced by the Trustee on or after February 1, 2024, in which the Trustee asserts claims solely under sections 544, 547, 548, 549, and 550 of the Bankruptcy Code (the \"Avoidance Actions\").\n\nb. Upon filing a complaint commencing any Avoidance Action (an \"Avoidance Complaint\"), the Trustee shall file a Notice of Applicability of Avoidance Action Procedures in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as **Exhibit 1** (the \"Avoidance Action Procedures Notice\"). The Trustee shall serve a copy of the Avoidance Action Procedures Notice on each defendant in an Avoidance Action (an \"Avoidance Defendant\") in the same manner as the Summons and Avoidance Complaint.\n\nc. Motions affecting all Avoidance Actions shall be filed in the Main Case only, *provided, however,* notice of such motions and notice of any orders resolving such motions shall be filed on the docket in the Avoidance Actions. Any responses to such motions shall be filed in the Main Case only.\n\nd. To the extent that an Avoidance Complaint (including exhibits) contains information that is designated confidential or highly confidential pursuant to the Protective Order [Main Case ECF No. 923] (the \"Protective Order\") and the Stipulated Addendum to Protective Order [Main Case ECF No. 2460] (the \"P.O. Addendum\"), the Trustee may file the Avoidance Complaint under seal (a \"Sealed Avoidance Complaint\"), provided, however, the Trustee shall file unsealed a copy of the Avoidance Complaint that redacts any information that is designated confidential or highly confidential (a \"Redacted Avoidance Complaint\"). Service of a Redacted Avoidance Complaint shall constitute sufficient service of a complaint as required by Bankruptcy Rule 7004. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Protective Order and the P.O. Addendum, upon any Avoidance Defendant and its counsel each executing copies of Exhibit A to the Protective\n\nOrder and, if applicable, Exhibit A to the P.O. Addendum, the Trustee may provide a copy of the unredacted Avoidance Complaint to such Avoidance Defendant.\n\ne. An Avoidance Defendant's time to respond to any Avoidance Complaint (the \"Response Date\") shall be sixty (60) days from the date that service is effected on such Avoidance Defendant, *provided, however*, that, without further order of the Court, the Trustee and any Avoidance Defendant may stipulate to further extend the defendant's Response Date up to ninety (90) additional days. Any such stipulation shall be made in writing and filed on the docket in the applicable adversary proceeding.\n\nf. In the event that any Avoidance Defendant responds to an Avoidance Complaint by filing a motion pursuant to Civil Rule 12(b), the Trustee shall have sixty (60) days to respond to such motion.\n\ng. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, no initial pretrial conference pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 7016 will be held prior to discovery in any Avoidance Action and, accordingly, the Summons issued by the Clerk of the Court and served by the Trustee will not include a date for a pretrial conference. To the extent that a party to an Avoidance Action believes that a pretrial conference is necessary to address scheduling or other issues, any party may request such a conference at any time by filing a request on the docket in the Avoidance Action.\n\nh. As soon as practicable following the Response Date, the parties shall confer pursuant to Civil Rule 26(f) (the \"Initial Case Conference\") and, thereafter, the parties shall either file a joint proposed scheduling order governing discovery, summary judgment, and other pretrial proceedings, subject to Court approval. If the Court does not approve the joint proposed scheduling order, the Court shall schedule a pretrial conference to determine a scheduling order. If the parties do not agree on a joint proposed scheduling order, the parties shall request a pretrial conference to determine a scheduling order.\n\ni. Any party to an Avoidance Action may request that the Avoidance Action Procedures be modified as applied in such Avoidance Action for good cause shown. Such modification shall be requested by motion filed in the applicable Avoidance Action.\n\n3. The time periods set forth in this Order and the Avoidance Action Procedures shall\n\nbe calculated in accordance with Bankruptcy Rule 9006(a).\n\n4. The Court retains jurisdiction with respect to all matters arising from or related to\n\nthe implementation of this Order.\n\n5. This Order shall be effective immediately upon entry.\n\n# **EXHIBIT 1**\n\n**(Form Notice of Applicability of Avoidance Action Procedures)**\n\n# **UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION**\n\n| -----------------------------------------------------------                                                                        |            | x                                                                                 |\n|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|\n| In re:                                                                                                                             |            | :<br>:<br>Chapter 11                                                              |\n| 1<br>HO WAN KWOK,<br>et al.,                                                                                                       |            | :<br>:<br>Case No. 22-50073 (JAM)                                                 |\n|                                                                                                                                    | Debtors.   | :<br>:<br>(Jointly Administered)<br>:                                             |\n| -----------------------------------------------------------<br>LUC A. DESPINS, CHAPTER 11<br>TRUSTEE,<br>v.<br>[NAME OF DEFENDANT] | Plaintiff, | x<br>:<br>:<br>:<br>:<br>Adv. Proceeding No. [<br>]<br>:<br>:<br>:<br>:<br>:<br>: |\n| -----------------------------------------------------------                                                                        | Defendant. | :<br>:<br>x                                                                       |\n\n# **NOTICE OF APPLICABILITY OF AVOIDANCE ACTION PROCEDURES**\n\nPLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that the Order Approving Procedures Applicable to Avoidance Claim Adversary Proceedings entered by the Bankruptcy Court in the above-captioned chapter 11 case [ECF No. \\_\\_\\_] appended hereto as **Exhibit A**, is hereby made applicable to and governs this adversary proceeding.\n\n<sup>1</sup> The Debtors in these chapter 11 cases are Ho Wan Kwok (also known as Guo Wengui, Miles Guo, and Miles Kwok, as well as numerous other aliases) (last four digits of tax identification number: 9595), Genever Holdings LLC (last four digits of tax identification number: 8202) and Genever Holdings Corporation. The mailing address for the Trustee, Genever Holdings LLC, and the Genever Holdings Corporation is Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 c/o Luc A. Despins, as Trustee for the Estate of Ho Wan Kwok (solely for purposes of notices and communications).\n\nDated: \\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_ \\_\\_, 2024 New Haven, Connecticut\n\nBy: *\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_*\n\nPatrick R. Linsey (ct29437) NEUBERT, PEPE & MONTEITH, P.C. 195 Church Street, 13th Floor New Haven, Connecticut 06510 (203) 781-2847 plinsey@npmlaw.com\n\n*and*\n\nNicholas A. Bassett *(*admitted *pro hac vice*) PAUL HASTINGS LLP 2050 M Street NW Washington, D.C., 20036 (202) 551-1902 nicholasbassett@paulhastings.com\n\n*and*\n\nAvram E. Luft *(*admitted *pro hac vice*) Douglass Barron (admitted *pro hac vice*) PAUL HASTINGS LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, New York 10166 (212) 318-6079 aviluft@paulhastings.com\n\n*Counsel for the Chapter 11 Trustee*","body_zh":"UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION\n（美国康涅狄格区联邦破产法院布里奇波特分院）\n\n---------------------------------------------------------------　x\n\n关于：\n:　第 11 章\n:\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）等人，\n:　案号 22-50073 (JAM)\n:\n债务人。1\n:　合并审理\n:\n---------------------------------------------------------------　x\n第 11 章受托人依据 11 U.S.C. § 105(a)、《联邦破产诉讼程序规则》第 7016、7026 和 9006 条以及《康涅狄格区破产本地规则》第 7016-1 条请求批准适用于撤销权诉讼抗辩程序的程序规则的动议\n\nLuc A. Despins 作为 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵）（以下简称“债务人”）的第 11 章受托人（以下简称“受托人”），特此依据《美国法典》第 11 编（以下简称“《破产法典》”）第 105(a) 条、《联邦破产诉讼程序规则》（以下简称“《破产规则》”）第 7016 和 7026 条以及《康涅狄格区破产诉讼程序本地规则》（以下简称“《破产本地规则》”）第 7016-1 条，谨提出动议（以下简称“本动议”），请求法院按照作为附件 A 附于本动议的拟议裁定形式作出裁定（以下简称“拟议裁定”），确立适用于与上述案号第 11 章案件（以下简称“第 11 章案件”或“主案”）相关的撤销权诉讼抗辩程序的特定程序。受托人支持本动议的陈述如下：\n\n1 这些第 11 章案件中的债务人为 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵，亦称 Miles Guo、Miles Kwok 以及诸多其他化名）（税务识别号后四位：9595）、Genever Holdings LLC（税务识别号后四位：8202）和 Genever Holdings Corporation。受托人、Genever Holdings LLC 和 Genever Holdings Corporation 的邮寄地址为 Paul Hastings LLP（普衡律师事务所）, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 转交 Ho Wan Kwok 破产财团受托人 Luc A. Despins（仅用于通知与联络目的）。\n管辖权、审判地及法定依据\n\n1. 依据 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 和 1334 以及 United States District Court for the District of Connecticut（美国康涅狄格区联邦地方法院）的常规移送命令，United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut（美国康涅狄格区联邦破产法院，以下简称“本法院”）对本事项拥有管辖权。依据 28 U.S.C. § 157(b) 的定义，本案属于核心程序。\n\n2. 依据 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 和 1409，本审区的审判地是适当的。\n\n3. 本文所请求救济的法定依据为《破产法典》第 105(a) 条、《破产规则》第 7016、7026 和 9006 条，以及《破产本地规则》第 7016-1 条。\n背景\n\n4. 2022年2月15日（以下简称“申请日”），债务人向本法院提交了依据《破产法典》第 11 章寻求救济的自愿申请书。\n\n5. 2022年3月21日，美国联邦破产受托人（United States Trustee）在本第 11 章案件中指定了官方无担保债权人委员会（以下简称“委员会”）。在本第 11 章案件中尚未指定调查员。\n\n6. 2022年6月15日，本法院作出一项裁定与命令备忘录 [ECF No. 465]（以下简称“受托人裁定”），指示美国联邦破产受托人在本第 11 章案件中指定一名第 11 章受托人。依据受托人裁定，美国联邦破产受托人选定 Luc A. Despins 担任受托人。\n\n7. 自受托人获指定以来，受托人已对债务人的财务状况进行了调查，其中包括但不限于债务人在申请日前转让的财产权益，以及债务人第 11 章破产财团在申请日后未经法院或《破产法典》授权而转让的财产。\n8. 受托人预计将在 2024年2月15日 之前提起多起抗辩诉讼程序，以撤销并追回若干申请日前及申请日后的转让，即撤销诉讼（定义见下文）。在 2024年2月15日 之后可能还会提起更多撤销诉讼。参见《关于依据破产法典第 108、546(a) 及 549 条延长受托人提起撤销诉讼截止期限的裁定动议》[ECF No. 2509]。\n请求的救济\n\n9. 为有效管理大量预期的撤销诉讼，受托人认为有必要确立能够促进此类案件有序管理与推进的程序。因此，受托人通过本动议提议法院实施本文所载程序（如下文所述，即“撤销诉讼程序”）。\n\n10. 总体而言，撤销诉讼程序：(a) 延长了撤销诉讼中被告对诉状进行答辩或以其他方式回应的期限，以及受托人对任何驳回起诉动议进行回应的期限；(b) 规定了对于包含提供证据方依据《保护令》和/或《保护令附录》（定义见下文）指定为机密或高度机密信息的撤销诉状予以封存提交，并向同意受《保护令》及《保护令附录》约束的被告提供此类诉状；以及 (c) 为适用抗辩程序的当事人确立了一项在经法院批准的前提下提交拟议日程安排裁定的程序，从而免除了自动安排初始审前会议的需要。2 因此，受托人认为实施撤销程序将简化诉讼流程，尽量减轻此类诉讼给所有当事人及法院带来的负担，并确保所有此类诉讼以公平高效的方式推进。\n\n2 撤销诉讼程序规定，如果撤销诉讼的任何一方认为有必要举行审前会议以解决任何问题，可随时请求举行此类会议。\n\n11. 拟议的撤销诉讼程序如下：\n\na. 撤销诉讼程序适用于受托人在 2024年2月1日 或之后提起的、且受托人在其中仅依据《破产法典》第 544、547、548、549 和 550 条提出主张的任何抗辩诉讼程序（以下简称“撤销诉讼”）。\n\nb. 在提交开启任何撤销诉讼的诉状（以下简称“撤销诉状”）时，受托人应以法院批准的格式提交一份《撤销诉讼程序适用通知》（以下简称“撤销诉讼程序通知”）。受托人应以向撤销诉讼中的每位被告（以下简称“撤销诉讼被告”）送达传票和撤销诉状的相同方式送达一份撤销诉讼程序通知。\n\nc. 影响所有撤销诉讼的动议仅应在主案中提交，但前提是，此类动议的通知以及解决此类动议的任何裁定的通知应在各撤销诉讼的案卷中提交。对此类动议的任何回应仅应在主案中提交。\n\nd. 如果撤销诉状（包括证物）包含依据《保护令》[主案 ECF No. 923]（以下简称“《保护令》”）和《保护令约定附录》[主案 ECF No. 2460]（以下简称“《保护令附录》”）被指定为机密或高度机密的信息，受托人可封存提交撤销诉状（以下简称“封存撤销诉状”），但前提是，受托人应公开提交一份删减了被指定为机密或高度机密信息的撤销诉状副本（以下简称“删减版撤销诉状”）。送达删减版撤销诉状应构成《破产规则》第 7004 条所要求的充分诉状送达。无论《保护令》和《保护令附录》中有何相反规定，在任何撤销诉讼被告及其律师分别签署《保护令》附件 A 以及（若适用）《保护令附录》附件 A 的副本后，受托人可向该撤销诉讼被告提供一份未删减的撤销诉状副本。\n\ne. 撤销诉讼被告对任何撤销诉状做出回应的期限（以下简称“回应日期”）应为自该撤销诉讼被告获得有效送达之日起六十 (60) 天，但前提是，无需法院进一步作出裁定，受托人与任何撤销诉讼被告可约定将该被告的回应日期进一步延长最多九十 (90) 天。任何此类约定应以书面形式作出，并提交至相应抗辩诉讼的案卷中。\n\nf. 如果任何撤销诉讼被告通过依据《民事规则》第 12(b) 条提交动议来回应撤销诉状，受托人应有六十 (60) 天的时间对该动议做出回应。\n\ng. 除非法院另有命令，否则在任何撤销诉讼的证据开示之前不会举行依据《破产规则》第 7016 条的初始审前会议，因此，由法院书记官签发并由受托人送达的传票将不包含审前会议的日期。如果撤销诉讼的一方当事人认为有必要举行审前会议以解决日程安排或其他问题，任何一方均可随时通过在撤销诉讼案卷中提交请求来请求举行此类会议。\n\nh. 在回应日期之后，当事人应在切实可行的情况下尽快依据《民事规则》第 26(f) 条进行协商（以下简称“初始案件协商”），在此之后，当事人应在经法院批准的前提下，共同提交一份管辖证据开示、即决判决和其他审前程序的拟议联合日程安排裁定。如果法院不批准拟议联合日程安排裁定，法院应安排一次审前会议以确定日程安排裁定。如果当事人无法就拟议联合日程安排裁定达成一致，当事人应请求举行审前会议以确定日程安排裁定。\n\ni. 撤销诉讼的任何一方当事人均可在说明正当理由的情况下，请求变更撤销诉讼程序在该撤销诉讼中的适用。此类变更应通过在适用的撤销诉讼中提交动议的方式提出请求。\n请求救济的依据\n\n12. 依据《破产规则》第 7016 和 7026 条、《破产法典》第 105(a) 条以及本巡回法院的相关判例，本法院有权采纳并实施管辖撤销诉讼审理的撤销诉讼程序。\n\n13. 《破产规则》第 7016 条赋予法院相当大的自由裁量权来采纳和实施有助于撤销诉讼管理的程序。例如，《破产规则》第 7016(a) 条纳入了《民事规则》第 16 条，从而授权法院在审前程序中考虑以下事项：\n\n(1) 加快诉讼的处置；(2) 建立早期和持续的控制，使案件不致因缺乏管理而拖延；\n\n- (3) 遏制浪费性的审前活动；\n- (4) 通过更充分的准备提高审判质量；以及\n- (5) 促进和解。\n\n14. 此外，《破产规则》第 7016(b) 条赋予法院在案件管理和日程安排方面相当大的灵活性。同样，《破产本地规则》第 7016-1(a) 条规定，经法院命令，可以背离普遍适用的审前会议程序。\n\n15. 除了《破产规则》授予法院的广泛权力外，《破产法典》第 105(a) 条在相关部分规定，“法院可签发执行本编各项规定所必要或适当的任何命令、程序或判决。”11 U.S.C. § 105(a)。\n\n第 105 条明确将传统上所谓的“固有权力”编纂成法，以赋予破产法院管理其案卷中案件的必要能力。法院必须拥有管理当事人的主张和行为的必要权力，以确保司法效率并实现正义。这些权力是“行使所有其他权力所必需的”。\n\nJohnson v. McDow (In re Johnson), 236 B.R. 510, 521 (D.D.C. 1999)；另见 In re Walker, 195\n\nB.R. 187, 208 (Bankr. D.N.H. 1996)（指出法院拥有“管理其系属诉讼”的固有权力）。\n\n16. 此外，本巡回区法院经常作出命令建立类似于本申请所请求的诉讼程序，以管理大量的撤销权案件。参见，例如，In re BGI, Inc., f/k/a Border Group, Inc.，纽约南区破产法院（Bankr. S.D.N.Y.）案号 11-10614 [ECF No. 2922]（2012年10月23日）；In re Bernard L. Madoff，纽约南区破产法院案号 08-01789 [ECF No. 3141]（2010年11月10日）。在上述每个案件中，受托人均在提起撤销权诉讼之前请求破产法院批准该等程序，且破产法院均予以批准。参见 In re BGI, Inc., f/k/a Border Group, Inc.，纽约南区破产法院案号 11-10614 [ECF No. 2876] 第12段（2012年9月27日）；In re Bernard L. Madoff，纽约南区破产法院案号 08-01789 [ECF No. 3058] 第7段（2010年10月21日）。\n\n无在先申请\n\n17. 此前未曾就本申请所请求的救济向本法院或任何其他法院提出其他或在先动议。\n\n[本页其余部分有意留白。]\n\n据此，法院应通过签署拟议裁定书准予本动议，并\n\n准予公正恰当的其他及进一步救济。\n\n日期：2024年1月29日 康涅狄格州纽黑文（New Haven, Connecticut）\n\n签署：/s/ Patrick R. Linsey\n\nPatrick R. Linsey (ct29437) NEUBERT, PEPE & MONTEITH, P.C. 195 Church Street, 13th Floor New Haven, Connecticut 06510 (203) 781-2847 plinsey@npmlaw.com\n\n以及\n\nNicholas A. Bassett（获准特别出庭 / admitted pro hac vice）PAUL HASTINGS LLP（普衡律师事务所）2050 M Street NW Washington, D.C., 20036 (202) 551-1902 nicholasbassett@paulhastings.com\n\n以及\n\nAvram E. Luft（获准特别出庭 / admitted pro hac vice）Douglass Barron（获准特别出庭 / admitted pro hac vice）PAUL HASTINGS LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, New York 10166 (212) 318-6079 aviluft@paulhastings.com\n\n第11章受托人代理律师\n\n附件 A\n\n（拟议裁定书）\n\n美国康涅狄格区破产法院（UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT）布里奇波特分院（BRIDGEPORT DIVISION）\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------- x\n\n关于：\n: 第11章\n:\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）等，\n: 案号 22-50073 (JAM)\n:\n债务人。1\n: 联合审理\n:\n--------------------------------------------------------------- x\n\n批准适用于撤销权主张对席诉讼程序的[拟议]裁定\n\n鉴于 Ho Wan Kwok（债务人）第11章案件中指定的第11章受托人（“受托人”）Luc A. Despins 提出动议（“动议”）2，请求依据《美国法典》第11篇（“破产法”）第105(a)条、《联邦破产诉讼规则》（“破产规则”）第7016、7026和9006条以及《康涅狄格区本地破产诉讼规则》（“本地破产规则”）第7016-1条作出裁定（本“裁定”），确立适用于与上述第11章案件相关的撤销权主张对席诉讼的若干程序；且本法院依据 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 和 1334 以及美国康涅狄格区联邦地区法院的移送现行命令拥有管辖权审理该动议及其所请求的救济；且审理该动议及其所请求的救济依据 28 U.S.C. § 157(b) 属于核心诉讼程序；且依据 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 和 1409 本法院管辖地适当；且法院已认定该动议中请求的救济\n\n1 本等第11章案件中的债务人为 Ho Wan Kwok（又名郭文贵、Miles Guo 和 Miles Kwok，以及其他多个别名）（纳税人识别号后四位：9595）、Genever Holdings LLC（纳税人识别号后四位：8202）和 Genever Holdings Corporation。受托人、Genever Holdings LLC 和 Genever Holdings Corporation 的邮寄地址为 Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 转交 Ho Wan Kwok 破产财团受托人 Luc A. Despins（仅用于送达通知和联络目的）。\n\n2 本裁定中使用但未另行定义的以大写字母开头的词语具有动议中赋予它们的含义。\n\n符合债务人第11章破产财团、其债权人及所有利害关系方的最大利益；且在该特定情况下已给予充分且适当的动议通知；且无需再给予其他或进一步通知；且经本法院进行的全部程序；且对本申请所请求救济的任何异议均已被撤回或经实体审理后被驳回；以及经过充分审议并显示有充分理由，现特此裁定如下：\n\n1. 动议按本裁定所载予以准予。\n\n2. 法院特此裁定，以下程序（“撤销诉讼程序”）应适用于撤销诉讼（定义见下文）：\n\na. 撤销诉讼程序应适用于受托人在2024年2月1日或之后提起的、受托人仅根据破产法第544、547、548、549和550条提出主张的任何对席诉讼（“撤销诉讼”）。\n\nb. 在提交提起任何撤销诉讼的起诉状（“撤销起诉状”）时，受托人应提交一份形式与本裁定附件1基本相同的《关于适用撤销诉讼程序的通知》（“撤销诉讼程序通知”）。受托人应以与传票和撤销起诉状相同的方式，将撤销诉讼程序通知的副本送达撤销诉讼中的每位被告（“撤销诉讼被告”）。\n\nc. 影响所有撤销诉讼的动议仅应在主案中提交，但是，该等动议的通知以及解决该等动议的任何裁定的通知应在各撤销诉讼的案卷中提交。对该等动议的任何答辩仅应在主案中提交。\n\nd. 如果撤销起诉状（包括附件）包含根据《保护令》[主案 ECF No. 923]（“保护令”）和《关于保护令的约定补充协议》[主案 ECF No. 2460]（“保护令补充协议”）被指定为保密或高度保密的信息，受托人可以封存提交撤销起诉状（“封存撤销起诉状”），但是，受托人应公开提交一份涂黑任何被指定为保密或高度保密信息的撤销起诉状副本（“涂黑撤销起诉状”）。送达涂黑撤销起诉状应构成破产规则第7004条所要求的起诉状的充分送达。尽管保护令及保护令补充协议中有任何相反规定，在任何撤销诉讼被告及其代理律师各自签署保护令附件A及（如适用）保护令补充协议附件A的副本后，受托人可向该撤销诉讼被告提供一份未涂黑的撤销起诉状副本。\n\ne. 撤销诉讼被告对任何撤销起诉状作出答辩的期限（“答辩日期”）应为该撤销诉讼被告获有效送达之日起六十（60）天，但是，无需法院进一步裁定，受托人与任何撤销诉讼被告可约定将该被告的答辩日期进一步延长最多额外九十（90）天。任何该等约定均应以书面形式作出并在适用的对席诉讼案卷中提交。\n\nf. 如果任何撤销诉讼被告通过依据民事诉讼规则第12(b)条提交动议来答辩撤销起诉状，受托人应有六十（60）天时间对该动议作出答辩。\n\ng. 除非法院另有命令，否则在任何撤销诉讼证据开示之前，均不得依据破产规则第7016条举行初次审前会议，因此，法院书记官签发并由受托人送达的传票中将不包含审前会议的日期。如果撤销诉讼的一方当事人认为有必要举行审前会议以解决日程安排或其他问题，任何一方当事人均可在任何时候通过在撤销诉讼案卷中提交请求来申请举行该等会议。\n\nh. 在答辩日期之后的可行情况下尽快，各方当事人应依据民事诉讼规则第26(f)条进行协商（“初次案件协商”），在此之后，各方当事人应共同提交一份关于证据开示、简易判决及其他审前程序的联合拟议日程安排裁定，由法院批准。如果法院未批准该联合拟议日程安排裁定，法院应安排一次审前会议以确定日程安排裁定。如果各方当事人未能就联合拟议日程安排裁定达成一致，各方当事人应请求举行审前会议以确定日程安排裁定。\n\ni. 撤销诉讼的任何一方当事人可在证明有充分理由的情况下，申请修改撤销诉讼程序在该撤销诉讼中的适用。该等修改应通过在适用的撤销诉讼中提交动议的方式提出申请。\n\n3. 本裁定及撤销诉讼程序中规定的时间期限应依据破产规则第9006(a)条进行计算。\n\n4. 法院对因执行本裁定而产生的或与之相关的所有事项保留管辖权。\n\n5. 本裁定签署后立即生效。\n\n附件 1\n\n（撤销诉讼程序适用通知格式）\n\n美国康涅狄格区破产法院（UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT）布里奇波特分院（BRIDGEPORT DIVISION）\n\n----------------------------------------------------------- x\n\n关于：\n:\n第11章\n\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）等，\n:\n案号 22-50073 (JAM)\n债务人。1\n:\n（联合审理）\n\nLUC A. DESPINS，第11章受托人，\n原告，\nv.\n[被告姓名/名称]\n被告。\n:\nx\n对席诉讼号 [ ]\n----------------------------------------------------------- x\n\n关于适用撤销诉讼程序的通知\n\n请予注意，破产法院在上述第11章案件中作出的《批准适用于撤销权主张对席诉讼程序的裁定》[ECF No. ___]（作为附件A附于本通知之后），特此适用于并管辖本对席诉讼。\n\n1 本等第11章案件中的债务人为 Ho Wan Kwok（又名郭文贵、Miles Guo 和 Miles Kwok，以及其他多个别名）（纳税人识别号后四位：9595）、Genever Holdings LLC（纳税人识别号后四位：8202）和 Genever Holdings Corporation。受托人、Genever Holdings LLC 和 Genever Holdings Corporation 的邮寄地址为 Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 转交 Ho Wan Kwok 破产财团受托人 Luc A. Despins（仅用于送达通知和联络目的）。\n\n日期：2024年____月____日 康涅狄格州纽黑文（New Haven, Connecticut）\n\n签署：_____________________\n\nPatrick R. Linsey (ct29437) NEUBERT, PEPE & MONTEITH, P.C. 195 Church Street, 13th Floor New Haven, Connecticut 06510 (203) 781-2847 plinsey@npmlaw.com\n\n以及\n\nNicholas A. Bassett（获准特别出庭 / admitted pro hac vice）PAUL HASTINGS LLP（普衡律师事务所）2050 M Street NW Washington, D.C., 20036 (202) 551-1902 nicholasbassett@paulhastings.com\n\n以及\n\nAvram E. Luft（获准特别出庭 / admitted pro hac vice）Douglass Barron（获准特别出庭 / admitted pro hac vice）PAUL HASTINGS LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, New York 10166 (212) 318-6079 aviluft@paulhastings.com\n\n第11章受托人代理律师","key_entities":["Kwok","Ho Wan Kwok","Despins","Paul Hastings","Guo","Je","Miles Guo","CIPA"],"ecf_references":[{"doc_number":465,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":923,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":2460,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":2509,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":2876,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":2922,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":3058,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":3141,"court":"CTB"}],"word_count":3659,"status":"published","published_at":null,"created_at":null,"updated_at":"2026-08-23 13:54:03"}