Detroit to establish new precedent in bankruptcy law

For decades Detroit charted new territory in automotive innovation.Now, Detroit will chart new territory in municipal bankruptcy law. The case that began Thursday is expected to establish legal precedent in many areas, informs Detroit Free Press.

The bare bones bankruptcy petition, which came at 4:06:22 p.m., blindsided everyone in the room, according to two lawyers who were in state court in Lansing, Michigan, at the time. Even the lawyer representing the governor and the judge were caught unaware, according to Economic Times.

"This decision comes in the wake of 60 years of decline for the city, aperiod in which reality was often ignored," the governor wrote in his authorization. "Without this decision, the City's condition would only worsen. With this decision, we begin to provide a foundation to rebuild and grow Detroit", reports The Detroit News.