On Aug. 10, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed a decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit that held that nonconsensual third-party releases of direct claims against nondebtors are statutorily permitted under sections 105(a) and 1123(b)(6) of the Bankruptcy Code and that the court’s case law allows for nonconsensual third-party claim releases in specific circumstances.

The Justice Department argued that allowing the plan to take effect would leave in place a roadmap for wealthy corporations and individuals to misuse the bankruptcy system to avoid mass tort liability.