Free Contracting in Bankruptcy

Abstract

This Comment argues for free bargaining in bankruptcy reorganizations and the enforcement of waivers of Chapter 11. Bankruptcy opt-outs would permit the parties to adopt risk- sharing strategies denied them by Chapter 11. This would correct a misincentive problem identified by Alan Schwartz, and would do so more effectively than Schwartz claims. More importantly, bankruptcy opt-outs would permit the parties to transfer control of the firm to creditors on default. Governance strategies of this kind police management misbehavior more effectively than the risk-sharing theories proposed by Schwartz and others.