The Bankruptcy Code expressly authorizes a trustee (or debtor-in-possession) to bring an adversary proceeding to avoid certain transfers as preferential or fraudulent. In some cases, however, courts have allowed creditors to bring such “avoidance claims” if it would benefit the estate. A creditor who brings avoidance claims in place of the trustee is said to possess “derivative standing.” In this case, we must decide whether the bankruptcy court erred in holding that, as a matter of law, a creditor may never obtain derivative standing to pursue avoidance claims absent a showing that the trustee was “unable or unwilling” to do so. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 158(d)(1) and now reverse and remand.
I
When it was a going concern, debtor Racing Services, Inc. (“Racing Services”)
On January 31, 2006, five days before the statute of limitations was to expire, PW Enterprises approached the Chapter 7 Trustee Kip Kaler (“Trustee”)
2
and requested that he initiate an adversary proceeding against the State to, among other things, avoid certain preferential and fraudulent transfers made to the State by Racing Services that were, in PW Enterprises’ view, improperly classified as “taxes.”
3
At the Trustee’s request, PW Enterprises prepared a draft complaint for his review. The Trustee declined to bring the specific claims that PW Enterprises wanted him to assert.
See PW Enters., Inc. v. North Dakota (In re Racing Seros., Inc.),
With the exception of the State, no party opposed PW Enterprises’ April 2006 mo
On July 10, 2006, the bankruptcy court held a telephonic hearing on PW Enterprises’ motion and denied it on August 7, 2006. The bankruptcy court concluded that PW Enterprises did not have standing to pursue an adversary action against the State because it failed to establish that the Trustee abused his discretion or acted unjustifiably by failing to pursue the avoidance claims. The bankruptcy court did not address PW Enterprises’ contention that a creditor may proceed derivatively if the trustee consents to, or does not oppose, the action.
The Bankruptcy Appellate Panel (“BAP”) affirmed the bankruptcy court’s decision denying PW Enterprises’ motion. The BAP declined to resolve the issue of whether derivative standing was appropriate when a trustee consents. Rather, the BAP concluded that the bankruptcy court properly denied PW Enterprises derivative standing because it did not first seek permission with the bankruptcy court to file its complaint.
See In re Racing Sews., Inc.,
On appeal, PW Enterprises argues that the bankruptcy court erred by holding that a creditor may proceed derivatively only when the trustee acts improperly or abuses his discretion. While neither defending nor declaiming the bankruptcy cоurt’s rationale, the State argues that it properly denied PW Enterprises standing because its motion was untimely, i.e., PW Enterprises sought derivative standing only after filing its complaint. 5
II
We apply the same standard of review as the BAP. We review the bank
Ill
A
We begin by resolving the uncertainty in this Circuit over the availability of derivative standing when a trustee is “unable or unwilling” to pursue avoidance claims under the Bankruptcy Code. As the BAP observed below, bankruptcy courts within the Eighth Circuit have expressed conflicting views on whether our decision in
Nangle v. Lauer (In re Lauer),
We now make clear what
In re Lauer
implicitly recognized: derivative standing is available to a creditor to pursue avoidance actions when it shows that a Chapter 7 trustee (or debtor-in-possession in the case of Chapter 11) is “unable or unwilling” to do so.
6
In so holding, we join those circuits that have addressed this issue and uniformly recognized the possibility of derivative standing in this context.
See Smart World Tеchs., LLC v. Juno Online Servs., Inc. (In re Smart World Techs., LLC),
We therefore hold, to establish derivative standing, a creditor must show: (1) it petitioned the trustee to bring the claims and the trustee refusеd; (2) its claims are colorable; (3) it sought permission from the bankruptcy court to initiate an adversary proceeding; and (4) the trustee unjustifiably refused to pursue the claims. We expect in most cases creditors will readily satisfy the first three elements without much difficulty — petitioning the trustee and bankruptcy court ought to be mere formalities. And a creditor’s claims are colorable if they would survive a motion to dismiss. The real challenge for the creditor will be to persuade the bankruptcy court that the trustee unjustifiably refuses to bring its claims. To satisfy its burden, the creditor, at a minimum, must provide the bankruptcy court with specific reasons why it believes the trustee’s refusal is unjustifiеd. 8 A creditor thus does not meet its burden with a naked assertion that ‘the trustee’s refusal is unjustified.’ If presented with nothing more than this, the bankruptcy court may properly deny a creditor’s motion without explanation. The creditor, not the bankruptcy court, has the onus of establishing the trustee unjustifiably refuses to bring the creditor’s claim. 9
We hesitate to speculate, however, on the type of factual showing that would demonstrate a trustee unjustifiably refuses to pursue a creditor’s claims. Our inability to do so stems from the fact that the circumstances which make a trustee’s decision unjustified in one bankruptcy may not necessarily support the same conclusion in another. But we alsо believe the universe of circumstances in which the trustee’s refusal to bring a creditor’s claims is unjustified to be somewhat limited. At one end of the spectrum, a trustee almost certainly abuses his discretion by refusing to bring a creditor’s claim that, if successful, would
clearly
benefit the estate. At the other end, a trustee certainly does not abuse his discretion by refusing to bring a claim that would yield insignificant benefits to the estate. A more difficult situation, however, is when the creditor establishes that its claims, if successful, would offer more than marginal benefits to the estate but not necessarily a windfall.
See also In re STN Enters.,
At bottom, the determination of whether the trustee unjustifiably refuses to bring a creditor’s proposed claims will require bankruptcy courts to perform a cost-benefit analysis.
See In re STN Enters.,
Ultimately, the bankruptcy court’s decision whether to grant a creditor derivative standing will be reviewed for an abuse of discretion. This standard of review reflects the understanding that the decision of whether to permit a creditor to assert claims the Bankruptcy Code expressly reserves for the trustee (or debtor-in-possession) is a quintessential exercise of the bankruptcy court’s equitable powers.
See, e.g., In re Cybergenics Corp.,
B
PW Enterprises did not argue that the Trustee unjustifiably refused to pursue its claims. Rather, PW Enterprises sought permission to proceed derivatively under circumstances in which the Trustee did not oppose its complaint (or consented to its filing). This is an issue of first impression in this Circuit.
In
In re Commodore Int’l Ltd.,
the Second Circuit held that a creditors’ committee may proceed derivatively when the debtor-in-possession (or trustee) consents to its suit.
See
The [trustee or] debtor in possession has an obligation to pursue all actions that are in the best interests of creditors and the estate. An unsecured [creditor or] creditors’ committee has a close identity of interests with the [trustee or] debtor in possession in this regard. Allowing the [trustee or] debtor in possession to coordinate litigation responsibilities with an unsecured [creditor or] creditors’ committee can be an effective method for the [trustee or] debtor in рossessionto manage the estate and fulfill its duties.... Rather than a flat prohibition, impartial judicial balancing of the benefits of a committee’s representation better serves the bankruptcy estate.
Id.
at 99 (quoting
Liberty Mut. Ins. Co. v. Official Unsecured Creditors’ Comm, of Spaulding Composites Co. (In re Spaulding Composites Co.),
Like the Second Circuit, we are persuaded by the reasoning of
In re Spaulding Composites,
and hold that a creditor may proceed derivatively when the trustee (or debtor-in-possession) consents (or does not formally oppose) the creditor’s suit.
10
See also In re Parmetex, Inc.,
We also adopt the Second Circuit’s standard for establishing derivative standing when the trustee (or debtor-in-possession) consents:
A creditor[ ] ... may acquire standing to pursue the debtor’s claims if (1) the [creditor] has the consent of the debtor in possession or trustee, and (2) the [bankruptcy] court finds that suit by the [creditor] is (a) in the best interest of the bankruptcy estate, and (b) is necessary and beneficial to the fair and efficient resolution of the bankruptcy proceedings.
In re Commodore Int’l Ltd.,
The Second Circuit described its approach as “a reasoned and practicable division of labor between the creditor[ ] and the debtor in possession or trustee, while also providing bankruptcy courts with significant authority both to manage the litigation and to check any potential for abuse by the parties.” Id. We agree with this assessment. We emphasize, however, that compared to situations in which a creditor seeks derivative standing because the trustee acts unjustifiably, a creditor will typically face a comparatively greater burden to establish derivative standing when the trustee consents. That is not to say the creditor’s evidentiary burden differs between the contexts. Rather, bankruptcy courts must not lose sight of the fact that a creditor must show that its proposed “consensual” derivative action is both “necessary and beneficial to the fair and efficient resolution of [the bankruptcy proceedings].” Id. (emphasis added). In other words, not every “beneficial” action is “necessary” for a given proceeding. 11
C
Finally, we address the BAP’s alternative basis for denying PW Enterprises standing. The BAP concluded that the bankruptcy court properly denied PW Enterprises standing because it did not first seek permission from the bankruptcy court to file its complaint. In essence, the BAP held that it would have been a рroper exercise of the bankruptcy court’s discretion to deny PW Enterprises standing because it filed its motion to proceed derivatively after its proposed complaint and was therefore untimely. We hold this was error.
First, the bankruptcy court’s decision denying PW Enterprises derivative standing did not rest on the timing of its motion. Second, and more importantly, we reject the BAP’s rule that “[a] creditor simply cannot file an avoidance action on the eve of the expiration of the statute of limitations and two and a half months later ask the court for retroactive permission to file the suit.”
In re Racing Sens., Inc.,
We find this justification unpersuasive. In most cases, regardless of whether a creditor seeks permission before or after filing its complaint, the bankruptcy court will expend similar resources when considering the creditor’s request to proceed derivatively. The BAP nevertheless believed that “[rjequiring court approval prior to allowing a creditor to
file
a derivative suit furthers the goal of efficiency by weeding out unnecessary suits before they are filed.”
Id.
(emphasis added). Not only is this observation far from self-evident, but it confuses the effect of filing a suit with the effect of its prosecution — only the lat
The BAP’s proposed rule is also inconsistent with the practice of numerous federal courts granting creditors retroactive permission (i.e.,
nunc pro tunc
relief) to file a derivative adversary complaint.
See, e.g., In re Spaulding Composites Co.,
Our rejection of a per se rule forbidding retroactive grants of derivative standing should not be understood as limiting the bankruptcy courts’ authority to deny such requests in the appropriate circumstances. But bankruptcy courts should not, as a matter of course, either reject or grant motions for retroactive authorization. Rather, they must evaluate each request independently. We caution bankruptcy courts, however, from exclusively relying on the fact that a creditor filed its motion after its complaint as a basis for denying meritorious derivative actions. 14
IV
We conclude that a creditor (or creditor’s committee) may obtain derivative standing to pursue avoidance actions
In this case, the bankruptcy court, in the first instance, will have to decide whether PW Enterprises should be granted retroactive standing to proceed derivatively. In making this determination, the bankruptcy court should apply the analysis discussed in Part IIIB of this opinion. Accordingly, we reverse and remand for further proceedings.
Notes
. On appeal, the State of North Dakota filed а single brief on behalf of itself and the other Appellee-Defendant state entities: North Dakota Racing Commission, North Dakota Breeders Fund, North Dakota Purse Fund, and North Dakota Promotions Fund.
. Neither the Trustee nor Racing Services are parties to this appeal.
. In pertinent part, Section 547 provides:
(b) Except as provided in subsections (c) and (i) of this section, the trustee may avoid any transfer of an interest of the debtor in property — ■
(1) to or for the benefit of a creditor;
(2) for or on account of an antecedent debt owed by the debtor before such transfer was made;
(3) made while the debtor was insolvent;
(4) made—
(A) on or within 90 days before the date of the filing of the petition; or
(B) between ninety days and one year before the date of the filing of the petition, if such creditor at the time of such transfer was an insider; and
(5) that enables such creditor to receive more than such creditor would receive if—
(A) the case were a case under chapter 7 of this title;
(B) the transfer had not been made; and
(C) such creditor received payment of such debt to the extent provided by the provisions of this title.
11 U.S.C. § 547(b).
In pertinent part, Section 548 provides:
(a) (1) The trustee may avoid any transfer (including any transfer to or for the benefit of an insider under an employment contract) of an interest of the debtor in property, or any obligation (including any obligation to or for the benefit of an insiderunder an employment contract) incurred by the debtor, that was made or incurred on or within 2 years before the date of the filing of thе petition, if the debtor voluntarily or involuntarily—
(A) made such transfer or incurred such obligation with actual intent to hinder, delay, or defraud any entity to which the debtor was or became, on or after the date that such transfer was made or such obligation was incurred, indebted; or
(B) (i) received less than a reasonably equivalent value in exchange for such transfer or obligation; and
(ii) (I) was insolvent on the date that such transfer was made or such obligation was incurred, or became insolvent as a result of such transfer or obligation;
(II) was engaged in business or a transaction, or was about to engage in business or a transaction, for which any proрerty remaining with the debtor was an unreasonably small capital;
(III) intended to incur, or believed that the debtor would incur, debts that would be beyond the debtor’s ability to pay as such debts matured; or
(IV) made such transfer to or for the benefit of an insider, or incurred such obligation to or for the benefit of an insider, under an employment contract and not in the ordinary course of business.
11 U.S.C. § 548(a)(1).
. The State suggests that in this case the denial was especially appropriate because PW Enterprises moved to proceed derivatively after the expiration of the statute of limitations. The State, however, does not develop this argument. Rather, the State's timing argument focuses primarily on the fact that PW Enterprises filed its motion to proceed derivatively after filing its complaint.
. A Chapter 11 debtor-in-possession has similar powers and responsibilities as a Chapter 7 trustee. See 11 U.S.C. § 1107 (debtors-in-possession expressly given the rights and powers of a trustee). We see no reason to differentiate between these proceedings for the purpose of the derivative standing analysis.
. We agree with the Third Circuit that the Supreme Court’s decision in
Hartford Underwriters Ins. Co. v. Union Planters Bank, N.A.,
In Hartford Underwriters, debtor Hen House obtained workers’ compensation insurance from petitioner Hartford Underwriters ("Hartford”) (which was unaware of the bankruptcy proceedings) as part of its Chapter 11 reorganization strategy. Although Hen House failed to pay its premiums, Hartford continued to provide insurance. The Chapter 11 reorganization failed, however, and the bankruptcy court converted the cаse to a Chapter 7 liquidation. At this point, Hartford learned of Hen House’s bankruptcy and sought recovery of the overdue premiums. The parties agreed that under 11 U.S.C. § 503(b) the unpaid premiums qualified as "administrative expenses” and therefore took priority over any unsecured claims, but not over secured claims, see 11 U.S.C. § 506. Because the estate lacked unencumbered funds to pay the premiums and virtually all of Hen House's assets were held by secured creditors, Hartford — as an administrative claimant — was not likely to recover anything unless its claim took priority over at least some of the secured claims. Hartford attempted to acсomplish this by filing an application with the bankruptcy court under § 506(c), which provides an exception to the typical priority order.
Under § 506(c), ”[t]he trustee may recover from property securing an allowed secured claim the reasonable, necessary costs and expenses of preserving, or disposing of, such property to the extent of any benefit to the holder of such claim.” 11 U.S.C. § 506(c) (emphasis added). Hartford argued it could properly invoke § 506(c) to recover the unpaid premiums, despite not being the trustee, because: (1) the provision does not restrict its enforceability to the trustee; (2) preBankruptcy Code practice recognized administrative claimant' standing; and (3) policy considerations favor granting standing to administrative claimants.
The Supreme Court unanimously rejected these arguments. The Court carefully noted, however, that its decision did not “address whether a bankruptcy court can allow other interested parties to act in the trustee's stead in pursuing recovery under § 506(c)” because "it ha[d] no analogous application ... since [Hartford] did not ask the trustee to pursue payment ... and did not seek permission from the Bankruptcy Court to take such action.”
Hartford Underwriters,
Finally, we note that no court of appeals has expressly rejected the possibility of derivative standing when a trustee is unable or unwilling to pursue avoidance actions.
But see Scott v. National Century Fin. Enters., Inc. (In re Baltimore Emergency Servs. II, Corp.),
. A creditor’s request for derivative standing must be supported by competent evidence, for example, in the form of affidavits or through oral testimony at an evidentiary hearing.
See, e.g., In re STN Enters.,
. We emphasize that the burden of persuasion always remains with the creditor. And so, even if the trustee offers no reasons for his refusal to pursue the creditor's proposed claims, the bankruptcy court may nevertheless reject the creditor's request to proceed derivatively.
But see In re Gibson Group, Inc.,
. Although
In re Spaulding Composites
was a Chapter 11 case, we find that distinction to be inconsequential. As noted above, a Chapter 7 trustee has similar duties and powers as a Chapter 11 debtor-in-possession. Equally inconsequential is the fact that a creditors’ committee, rather than a creditor, sought derivative standing in
In re Commodore Int’l Ltd.
The Second Circuit has held that creditors and creditors’- committees may alike obtain derivative standing when the trustee consents.
See Glinka v. Murad (In re Housecraft Indus. USA, Inc.),
. Because the trustee is generally in the best position to evaluate whether a proposed action is necessary for a fair resolution of the bankruptcy proceedings, we expect them to withhold their consent (or oppose the action) when a proposed action is truly unnecessary (e.g., bordering on frivolous). Indeed, we would be surprised if trustees were routinely not pursuing all necessary actions because a
. We noted above that bankruptcy courts should employ a cost-benefit analysis to determine whether derivative standing is appropriate under circumstances in which the trustee “unjustifiably” refuses to bring the creditor's claims. Bankruptcy courts should perform a similar analysis when confronted with a request for "consensual” derivative standing. Lest a bankruptcy court be tempted by form over substance, however, we note that neither the timing nor form of a trustee's (or debtor-in-possession’s) consent should affect its determination of whether a creditor (creditors' committee) has in fact obtained the necessary consent. The only pertinent considеration with respect to consent is whether the trustee’s representations can be fairly understood as either affirmatively consenting to or affirmatively not opposing a proposed derivative action. That the trustee’s "consent” predates or post-dates a creditor’s motion for "consensual” derivative standing is irrelevant.
. The BAP’s holding relied largely on the Fourth Circuit's rejection "that it is possible to grant derivative standing retroactively in the absence of up-front approval by the bankruptcy court.”
In re Baltimore Emergency Servs. II, Corp.,
. Furthermore, bankruptcy courts should not deny a motion for retroactive standing simply because it was filed after the statute of limitations has run. So long as the creditor (or creditors' committee) files its proposed derivative complaint within the applicable statute of limitations period, the bankruptcy court should evaluate both whether a retroactive grant of standing is proper and the merits of the proposed derivative action. In such cases, however, the bankruptcy court should be wary of denying retroactive standing when the proposed derivative complaint has merit.