The so-called 20-day administrative priority claim (set forth in Section 503(b)(9) of the Bankruptcy Code) is perhaps the best remedy available to vendor creditors in Chapter 11 cases.
In 2005, Congress amended the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and added Chapter 15 (cross-border insolvency), and the game-changing Section 503(b)(9) claim, which functionally eclipsed the reclamation claim. At its essence, Section 503(b)(9) claims allow vendors to convert a portion of their pre-petition claims (arising from goods delivered within 20 days prior to filing) from near valueless general unsecured claims to administrative priority claims, which are generally paid in Chapter 11 cases. Section 503(b)(9) claims have had a major impact on Chapter 11 cases because they add a significant financial obligation that must be paid. Naturally, Chapter 11 debtors and their lenders have challenged such claims to minimize the financial impact of Section 503(b)(9). Since 2005, there have been a number of reported and unreported cases that provide guidance on successfully utilizing the remedy.
