Document: 482 U.S. 437 107 S.Ct. 2494 96 L.Ed.2d 385 CRAWFORD FITTING COMPANY, et al., Petitioners,v.J.T. GIBBONS, INC. CHAMPION INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. WOODWORKERS OF AMERICA, AFL-CIO, CLC. Nos. 86-322, 86-328. Argued April 29, 1987. Decided June 15, Syllabus Title 28 U.S.C. § 1920 provides that a federal court "may tax" specified items, including witness fees, as costs against the losing party, and 1821(b) states "shall be paid" fee of $30 per day for attendance. Federal Rule Civil Procedure 54(d) in part: "Except when express provision therefor is made either statute United States or these rules, shall allowed course to prevailing party unless otherwise directs." In No. petitioners prevailed defendants an antitrust action filed by respondent, District Court awarded, part petitioners' costs, amount expert fees excess 1821(b)'s $30-per-day limit, holding granted it discretion exceed such limit. The Appeals reversed, concluding limit controlled. 86-328, petitioner respondents alleged violations civil rights statutes. refused order reimburse its extent they exceeded affirmed. Held: When seeks reimbursement paid witnesses, bound limits 1821(b), absent contract explicit statutory authority contrary. There no merit contentions that, since lists expenses which "may" tax only authorizes taxation items does not preclude other amounts fee; separate power costs. If were so construed, would serve role whatsoever. better view defines term "costs" used enumerates may under discretionary found 54(d). Section phrased permissibly because generally grants refuse favor party. Such evade specific congressional command limiting fees. Rather, solely decline tax, enumerated 1920. dictum contrary Farmer Arabian American Oil Co., 379 227, 85 411, 13 248, disapproved. Henkel Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha R. 284 444, 52 223, 76 L.Ed. 386—which held courts had award 1853 limit—controls here, even though was decided before adoption Rules merger law equity courts. Cf. Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. Wilderness Society, 421 240, 95 1612, 44 141. 2496-2499. 790 F.2d 1193 (CA5 1986) 1174 1986), affirmed remanded. REHNQUIST, C.J., delivered opinion Court, WHITE, BLACKMUN, POWELL, STEVENS, O'CONNOR, SCALIA, JJ., joined. J., concurring opinion, post, p. ----. MARSHALL, dissenting BRENNAN, joined, 1 Ernest P. Mansour, Cleveland, Ohio, 86-322. 2 Jeffrey A. Walker, 3 William H. Block, Seattle, Wash., respondent 4 James E. Youngdahl, Little Rock, Ark., 5 Chief Justice REHNQUIST Court. 6 two consolidated cases we address require pay compensation winner's witnesses. J.T. Gibbons, Inc., sued Crawford Fitting laws. directed verdict petitioners. 565 F.Supp. 167 (ED La. 1981), aff'd, 704 787 1983). Petitioners then bill with Clerk court, seeking from over $220,000 litigation expenses, substantial 1821(b). It accordingly awarded $86,480.70 their 102 F.R.D. 73 1984). En banc, Fifth Circuit (1986). International Woodworkers America (IWA) Champion International, alleging racial discrimination violation VII Rights Act 1964 42 1981. After trial on merits, dismissed all respondent's claims. Petitioner thereafter $11,807 declined en banc affirmed, finding set forth dispositive. We agree hold own 7 1793 Congress enacted general linking some taxable most practice State sat. Mar. 1, 1793, 4, Stat. 333. This expired 1799. Apparently 1799 until continued refer state rules governing See 250, 1618, 141 (1975). By there "great diversity among courts" "losing litigants being unfairly saddled exorbitant fees." Id., at 251, 1618. Accordingly, returned issue comprehensively regulated resulting Fee "was far-reaching specifying detail nature cost courts." U.S., 251-252, S.Ct., 1618-1619. 8 provided, part, "That lieu now attorneys, solicitors, . witnesses several States, following taxed allowed." Feb. 26, 1853, 10 161. rate $1.50 day. 167. sweeping reforms have been carried forward today, "without any apparent intent change controlling rules." Pipeline, supra, 255, 1620. embodies Congress' considered choice kinds party: 9 "A judge clerk following: "(1) Fees marshal; 11 "(2) reporter stenographic transcript necessarily obtained use case; 12 "(3) disbursements printing witnesses; "(4) exemplification copies papers 14 "(5) Docket section 1923 this title; 15 "(6) Compensation appointed experts, interpreters, salaries, special interpretation services 1828 title." 16 1920(3) defined 1821: "(a)(1) Except provided law, attendance allowances section. 17 * 18 "(b) A each day's also time occupied going returning place beginning end during attendance." 19 turn logical conclusion language interrelation provisions 1821 specifies must tendered witness, cost, directs. 20 argue certain items. view, above beyond listed, more particularly, fee. Thus, source think, however, reasonable reading together can lead conclusion, renders superfluous. whatever seem appropriate, 1920, taxed, serves think permissively One fee, 21 cannot accept render entirely without meaning. Repeals implication are favored, proffer ultimate implication, §§ inconsistent. clear 1821, addressed litigants' compelling consider 1920(6) allows taxation, court-appointed sets way therefore meant knew how do so. inescapable effect sections combination out court-appointed. command. 22 logic notwithstanding, heavy weight single sentence our 248 (1964). case abused refusing plaintiff travel defendant. ruling, stated: 23 "[T]he given district judges [by ] should sparingly exercised reference specifically statute." 235, 416. 24 Applying present case, incurred those 25 relied upon classic obiter: something mentioned passing, necessary decision inconsistent foregoing analysis, disapprove it. 26 argument today squarely rejected S.P., M. O. 386 (1932). 1853. Court's reasoning straightforward: 27 "Specific payable early February 28, Under provisions, additional compensation, 29 ". has dealt subject exception Its legislation deemed controlling. ." 446-447, 224-225. 30 contend courts, longer good law. Petitioners' proceeds along lines: Prior Procedure, could sit equity. sitting broad statute. Henkel, regime, Now courts' legal equitable powers combined, conclude control scope court's 31 agree. rested interpretation. Whatever did repeal Act. today's counterparts still overridden authority, responsible opponent's 32 Our conforms prior interpretations (1975), "specif[ied] 252, 1619. comprehensive particularity drafted demonstrated us impose rigid controls cost-shifting similar one posited today: "Nor [Congress] extended roving Judiciary allow counsel whenever might deem them warranted." 260, 1623. 33 Although responded broadening availability attorney's see Attorney's Awards 1976, 90 2641, 1988, "retracted, repealed, modified limitations contained successors." once again asked enactment shifting moment. Alyeska, plain detailed treatment will lightly infer repealed through referring explicitly As always, " '[w]here intention otherwise, controlled nullified one, regardless priority enactment.' Radzanower Touche Ross 426 148, 153, 1989, 1992, 48 540 (1976), quoting Morton Mancari, 417 535, 550-551, 94 2474, 2482-2483, 41 290 (1974) (emphasis added). Any empowered evidence supersede ignores longstanding construing statutes pari materia. Continental Tuna Corp., 425 164, 168-169, 1319, 1322-1323, 47 653 (1976); Train Colorado Public Interest Research Group, 24, 1938, 1948, 434 (1976). 34 contractual authorization litigant's judgments 86-322 remanded further proceedings consistent opinion. 35 ordered. 36 concurring. 37 I join judgment but understanding reach question whether, witness. 446, n. (MARSHALL, dissenting). 38 whom BRENNAN joins, dissenting. 39 cases, sought pursuant "[e]xcept testimony "indispensable determination [the] issues case" portion attributable testimony. 73, 86 La.1984). defendant's "helpful perhaps case," 1821. Civ. Action WC 78-33-WK-P (ND Miss., Aug. 1983), 9. 40 informs Courts expressly authorized statute.1 haste extinguish nonstatutory rendered nullity. Before recognized "unless directs" intended grant See, e.g., C. Wright, Miller, Kane, Practice 2665, 171 (2d ed. where prohibited doing so, "vests sound allowance, disallowance, apportionment actions." J. Moore, W. Toeggart, Wicker, Moore's ¶ 54.70[5], 54-331 1987). adopts formerly followed equity, Moore 54.70[3], 54-321; Wright 2668, pp. 197-200, possessed statute, "part original chancellor particular situation." Sprague Ticonic National Bank, 307 161, 166, 59 777, 780, 83 1184 (1939) (footnote omitted). Newton Consolidated Gas 265 78, 83, 481, 482, 68 909 (1924); Ex parte Peterson, 253 300, 317-318, 543, 549, 64 919 (1920). Since Rules, occasion. (1964), acted within witness' 100 miles unsuccessful plaintiff.2 lacks noted: 43 "While far definite what 'costs allowed,' words 'unless directs' quite plainly vest 'costs.' 232, 415. labeled majority, provide guidance lower explaining "should Judge Rubin observed below, "[t]he reveals premise: gives 1920." 1174, 1190 (en banc) (concurring certainly Harlan, author dissent Farmer, viewed case. 419 ("the foundation decision" "scope acting his powers"). 45 Rather than should, majority relies But support restrictive narrow whether At time, lacked although justice required, regard Approaching purely matter construction, concluded included limited prescribed predecessors acknowledges, must, effected What ignores, vital significance fact. noted above, thereby giving actions previously afforded exercising powers. 46 majority's assertion "to party," ante, 442, principles based. Moreover, reinforces fact Because permissive—"[a] following"—courts already disallow listed therein.3 define "costs." Seizing "omission," declares universe Rule. Ante, 441—442. interpretation, claims, "renders superfluous." Ibid. misreads That purport exclusive. direct "the others taxed."4 contrast, predecessor Act, allowed," 161 added); omitted 1948 revision. Despite seemingly significant deletion, contends 'without rules.' 440, 1620, same authorize recovery Even never exclusive: "To sure, construed allow, circumstances, small sums [for docket fees] permitted 1923." 257, 1621.5 Not history ill advised policy matter. stated below: 49 "The litigation, know, become staggering. put defendant tremendous expense, apart obtaining services, defending prosecuting cause expense unavoidable necessity establish rebut many 50 51 "Although victor entitled spoils, he ought least able invoke make him whole." F.2d, 1192-1193. For reasons, dissent. understand decide 1988. obviously, 1988 And, examination record reveals, properly either. petitioner, defendant, motion "and expenses" $31,333.87 "expert expenses." Record 38. On December 30, 1982, summarily denied based Christiansburg Garment EEOC, 412, 98 694, 54 648 (1978), lawsuit brought faith neither frivolous, unreasonable, nor foundation." 1. referred questions concerning taxing Magistrate. 2. appeal denying appealed August 1983, application 33. 45(e), compel extends miles. Relying Rule, traditionally traveling 231-232, 414-415. legislative supports replaced mandatory earlier version—"shall costs"—to conform H.R.Rep. 308, 80th Cong., 1st Sess., App. A162 (1947) (Reviser's Note). protestations, construe exclusive definition principal purpose routine, readily determinable which, ordinary automatically court. With respect identified three circumstances appropriate "assertions inherent courts," 259, 1622: trustee fund preserved recovered benefit addition herself; willful disobedience order; bad vexatiously. 257-259, 1621-1623.

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