Opinion ID: 511014
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Effect of a Stay on the Interpretation of

Text: 59 [P]ending 60 Johns-Manville argues that since the Robinson and third-party complaint cases are stayed they are not pending as required by section 1500. Therefore, it is contended that section 1500 is inapplicable even if the claims are the same. However, the use of pending in section 1500 is unambiguous. 61 The language of that provision is so clear and its meaning so plain that no difficulty attends its construction in this case. Adherence to its terms leads to nothing impossible or plainly unreasonable. We are therefore bound by the words employed and are not at liberty to conjure up conditions to raise doubts in order that resort may be had to construction. It is elementary that where no ambiguity exists there is no room for construction. Inconvenience or hardships, if any, that result from following the statute as written must be relieved by legislation.... Construction may not be substituted for legislation. 62 United States v. Missouri Pac. R.R., 278 U.S. 269, 277-78, 49 S.Ct. 133, 136, 73 L.Ed. 322 (1929). This is the standard rule of statutory construction which has been followed innumerable times both by the Supreme Court and by this court and its predecessor courts. 63 The plain meaning of pending includes cases which have been filed but stayed. The Court of Claims has considered this issue. In National Cored Forgings Co. v. United States, 132 F.Supp. 454, 132 Ct.Cl. 11 (1955), the plaintiff stipulated for a stay of proceedings in the district court until final action had been taken in the Court of Claims. Id. at 457. The Court of Claims held section 1500 applied to bar jurisdiction since the same claim was pending in a district court. Accordingly, we hold the Robinson case is pending under section 1500.