Federal Judge Consolidates Asbestos Bankruptcy Proceedings

WILMINGTON, Del. - Calling the move critically important to the administration of justice, a Third Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals judge has entered an order in Delaware bankruptcy court consolidating five major asbestos-related Chapter 11 filings. In the Matter of Owens Corning, et al., No. 00-03837 (D. Del.).

Chief Judge Edward R. Becker entered the order Nov. 27 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, where the bankruptcies of five companies - Armstrong World Industries, Federal-Mogul, W.R. Grace & Co., USG and Owens Corning - are currently pending.

In addition to joining the five petitions, Judge Becker …