Opinion ID: 652886
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Finality of the District Court's Order

Text: 23 The district court exercised subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to 5 U.S.C.A. Sec. 552(a)(4)(B) (West 1977) 3 and 28 U.S.C.A. Sec. 1331 (West 1992). 4 At the threshold, we must decide whether the district court's order granting partial summary judgment to both parties is a final appealable order within the meaning of 28 U.S.C.A. Sec. 1291 (West Supp.1993). The Government asserts that even if this order is not final, the portion ordering the Government to release certain withheld materials is an appealable injunction under 28 U.S.C.A. Sec. 1292(a)(1) (West 1992). 24 Section 1291 confers on the courts of appeals jurisdiction of appeals from all final decisions of the district courts of the United States.... The magistrate judge recommended granting summary judgment to the Government on all but three issues, on which it recommended granting summary judgment to Plaintiffs: (1) The withholding pursuant to Exemption 7(C) of the identity of witnesses and third parties interviewed in connection with the Morro Castle disaster; (2) the withholding pursuant to Exemption 7(C) of information regarding deceased persons to which no other exemption applies; and (3) the withholding pursuant to Exemption (7)(D) of information claimed to have been provided under implied assurances of confidentiality to which no other exemption applies. 5 The district court adopted the Report and Recommendation in its entirety. 25 The Report and Recommendation disposes of all substantive issues raised by the parties. The docket sheet does not reflect any pending motions in the district court. Plaintiffs' letter response to this Court's inquiry on the question of jurisdiction seems to indicate, however, that there is an outstanding motion for attorneys' fees:The above request [to certify the district court's judgment as final] is made on the assumption that Motions for attorney's fees need not be resolved first in the Third Circuit; particularly where appeals are contemplated in any event. If the assumption is incorrect, then all issues are not resolved. 26