Third Circuit Orders Bankruptcy Judge to Rule on Recusal Motions

PHILADELPHIA - The U.S. Court of Appeals has ordered a federal district judge to decide by Jan. 31 whether he should recuse himself from two pending Chapter 11 cases following allegations that consultants the judge hired to assist him in the proceedings had ties to another asbestos-related bankruptcy and may create the appearance of partiality. In re: Kensington International Limited and Springfield Associates, LLC, Nos. 03-4212, 03-4526 (U.S. Ct. App. Third Circuit).

In the Dec. 18 decision, the Third Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals addressed two emergency petitions for writ of mandamus filed by Kensington International Limited and Springfield …