In the case of Joel Collins, a petitioner in bankruptcy, versus James Blyth, an opposing creditor, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether or not a debt incurred by one partner in a partnership could be discharged through bankruptcy. The court found that it could not and held that when two people enter into a partnership agreement they are jointly responsible for any debts incurred during their business dealings. This means that if one partner files for bankruptcy then both partners must still pay off any outstanding debts regardless of who actually signed them. Furthermore, even though only one partner may have been liable on paper for the debt itself all parties involved were equally responsible under law. As such this decision set an important precedent which has since been followed by courts across America regarding partnerships and bankruptcies.

In the case of Joel Collins, a petitioner in bankruptcy, versus James Blyth, an opposing creditor, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether or not certain notes given by Collins prior to his bankruptcy could be considered as part of his estate. The majority opinion held that these notes were valid and should be included in the bankrupt's estate. However, Justice McLean dissented from this decision on two grounds: firstly he argued that there was no evidence presented at trial which showed any intention on behalf of Collins to create a debt; secondly he argued that even if such an intention had been shown it would have been invalidated due to its being made while insolvent. In conclusion Justice McLean believed that since there was insufficient evidence for either party’s claims then neither should prevail and thus the notes should not form part of Collin’s estate.