Defenses

Defenses

Equity Receivers and the In Pari Delicto Defense
     Hon. Steven Rhodes and Kathy Bazoian Phelps; 69(3): 699-716 (May 2014)
Federal equity receivers are creations of equity. The in pari delicto doctrine is similarly a defense based in equity. When equity receivers are called upon to administer the assets of a receivership entity for the benefit of defrauded victims, courts sitting in equity must balance the needs of the victims with the rights of the defendants to assert the in pari delicto defense to litigation claims brought by the receiver against them. The competing equities reveal the great discretion that courts can exercise in permitting litigation claims to proceed in the face of the assertion of the in pari delicto defense. Courts, however, must also be mindful of a variety of issues and obstacles in deciding whether to allow the in pari delicto defense.