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A Primer for Secured Lessors on the Use of Bankruptcy Code Section 365(d)(10)

By Jeffrey N. Rich and Robert N. Michaelson

A recent decision of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut, In re Circuit-Wise, Inc., 277 B.R. 460 (Bankr. D. Conn.), attempts to clarify the rights of secured equipment lessors under Section 365(d)(10) of the Bankrupt-cy Code and suggests two mechanisms for ensuring that those rights are quickly and fairly addressed. However, the Bankruptcy Court may have unfairly denied the lessor, Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, Inc. ('Wells Fargo'), the prompt relief it deserved. Even if the Bankruptcy Court properly deferred whatever relief Wells Fargo was entitled to, the court's suggested methods for ultimately providing that relief were at least, in part, impractical.

In September 1997, a predecessor to Wells Fargo entered into what was nominally identified as a 'master lease agreement' (the 'Master Lease') pursuant to which Circuit-Wise, Inc. (the 'Debtor') purportedly leased certain equipment. From the facts presented, it cannot be determined whether the Master Lease was a true or bona fide lease or merely a disguised financing, and that is the crux of the controversy.

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