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On Jan. 17, 2017, in a closely watched dispute surrounding Section 316(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued its long-anticipated decision in Marblegate Asset Management, LLC v. Education Management Finance Corp., No. 15-2124-CV(L), 2017 WL 164318 (2d Cir. Jan. 17, 2017) (the “Decision”). In a 2-1 ruling reversing the district court, the court of appeals construed Section 316(b) narrowly, holding that it only prohibits “non-consensual amendments to an indenture’s core payment terms” and does not protect noteholders’ practical ability to receive payment. Decision at *1.
