Priority Flashcards
BASIC RULES
2 types of rules
- two or more creditors try to collect their debts from the same property, or
- when creditors try to collect debts from property that their debtor has sold to a third party.
SECURED PARTY V. SECURED PARTY // BASIC RULES
3 basic rules
- First-to-File-or-Perfect (Two Perfected Security Interests)
- Perfected Secured Interests Have Priority over Unperfected Secured Interests
- First to Attach (Between Two Unperfected Security Interests)
SECURED PARTY V. SECURED PARTY // BASIC RULES
Rule + application of First-to-File-or-Perfect
= security interests rank according to priority of time of filing or perfection AKA the first secured creditor to do either one of those things
- most important rule and most commonly applicable one
- applies when the priority dispute is between two or more perfected Article 9 security interests
SECURED PARTY V. SECURED PARTY // BASIC RULES
2 takeaways from First-to-File-or-Perfect
- UCC actually allows a secured party to file before it has attached
- not actually enough to be the first to file or perfect–have to be the first to file or perfect, be perfected, and STAY CONTINUOUSLY PERFECTED
SECURED PARTY V. SECURED PARTY // BASIC RULES
Perfected Secured Interests Have Priority over Unperfected Secured Interests
Between two security interests, if one is perfected and one is not, then the perfected security interest has priority over the unperfected security interest
AKA perfection beats nonperfection
(NOTE: this is not really a “first-in-time” rule b/c only one security interest is currently perfected—that security interest is not necessarily the “first” one to initially be perfected, it’s the only one to perfect (or at least to currently be perfected))
SECURED PARTY V. SECURED PARTY // BASIC RULES
First to Attach (Between Two Unperfected Security Interests)
= the first security interest to attach or become effective has priority if conflicting security interests are unperfected
AKA first to attach has priority
(applies when sometimes, although not often, there may be a priority dispute between two secured parties, and neither one of their security interests are perfected; this may be because both security interests have lapsed in perfection, or possibly because neither of them was ever perfected in the first place (or possibly some combination of the two))
SECURED PARTY V. LIEN CREDITOR // BASIC RULES
Lien creditor
= a creditor that originally obtained a money judgment in court, on either a debt or contract or tort.
SECURED PARTY V. LIEN CREDITOR // BASIC RULES
Priority rule
a secured party defeats a lien creditor in priority by
1. Perfecting before judicial lien arises by sheriff’s levy OR
2. Having debtor sign a proper security agreement granting a security interest in the property at issue AND filing a financing statement describing that property (this could technically be before the secured party is perfect since the loan may not have been made yet–no value)
(first-in-time, first-in-right rule)
SECURED PARTY V. SECURED PARTY
the rules to know
- 3 general priority rules
- 2 PMSI rules
- Consignor rule
- Conflicting PMSI rule
SECURED PARTY V. SECURED PARTY
rule of priority btwn 2 perfected secured creditors
= first to 1. file OR 2. perfect wins (whichever date is earlier)
SECURED PARTY V. SECURED PARTY
rule of priority btwn 2 unperfected secured creditors
= first to attach wins
SECURED PARTY V. SECURED PARTY
rule of priority btwn unperfected and perfected secured creditors
= perfected wins
SPECIAL PMSI PRIORITY RULES // SECURED PARTY V. SECURED PARTY
2 key situations
- PMSI in goods other than inventory or livestock
2. PMSI in inventory
SPECIAL PMSI PRIORITY RULES // SECURED PARTY V. SECURED PARTY
PMSI in goods other than inventory or livestock rule (+ effect of superpriority)
= PMSI in such goods has priority over a conflicting interest in the same goods OR its proceeds
ONLY IF the PMSI is perfected within 20 days of the debtor receives possession of the collateral
(most common = normally covers PMSI in equipment)
SPECIAL PMSI PRIORITY RULES // SECURED PARTY V. SECURED PARTY
PMSI in inventory superpriority scope
PMSI in inventory has priority over a conflicting security interest in
- the same inventory
- Proceeds of that inventory that are chattel paper
- Proceeds of that inventory that are instruments
- Any identifiable cash proceeds