Title 11BankruptcyRelease 119-73

§1101 Definitions for this chapter

Title 11 › Chapter CHAPTER 11— - REORGANIZATION › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - OFFICERS AND ADMINISTRATION › § 1101

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Defines two terms. "Debtor in possession" means the debtor, unless someone who qualified under section 322 is the trustee. "Substantial consummation" means a plan is mostly done: nearly all property is transferred, control is taken, and distributions start.

Full Legal Text

Title 11, §1101

Bankruptcy — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

In this chapter—
(1)“debtor in possession” means debtor except when a person that has qualified under section 322 of this title is serving as trustee in the case;
(2)“substantial consummation” means—
(A)transfer of all or substantially all of the property proposed by the plan to be transferred;
(B)assumption by the debtor or by the successor to the debtor under the plan of the business or of the management of all or substantially all of the property dealt with by the plan; and
(C)commencement of distribution under the plan.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

senate report no. 95–989

This section contains definitions of three terms that are used in chapter 11. Paragraph (1) defines debtor in possession to mean the debtor, except when a trustee who has qualified in serving in the case. Paragraph (2), derived from section 229a of current law [section 629(a) of former title 11], defines substantial consummation. Substantial consummation of a plan occurs when transfer of all or substantially all of the property proposed by the plan to be transferred is actually transferred; when the debtor (or its successor) has assumed the business of the debtor or the management of all or substantially all of the property dealt with by the plan; and when distribution under the plan has commenced. Paragraph (3) defines for purposes of Chapter 11 a public company to mean “a debtor who, within 12 months prior to the filing of a petition for relief under this chapter, had outstanding liabilities of $5 million or more, exclusive of liabilities for goods, services, or taxes and not less than 1,000 security holders.” There are, as noted, special safeguards for public investors related to the reorganization of a public company, as so defined. Both requirements must be met: liabilities, excluding tax obligations and trade liabilities, must be $5 million or more; and (2) the number of holders of securities, debt or equity, or both, must be not less than 1,000. The amount and number are to be determined as of any time within 12 months prior to the filing of the petition for reorganization.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

11 U.S.C. § 1101

Title 11Bankruptcy

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73