Opinion ID: 419207
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Costs and Interest Awards

Text: 23 In its Decision and Order after Remand, the district court awarded plaintiffs costs of $1,506.48 plus interest on plaintiffs' back pay award from the date of the complaint. However, both the costs and the interest awards were omitted from the judgment without an explanation. 24 Robert's appeals from the prejudgment interest award on the ground that the district court's sua sponte imposition of prejudgment interest was beyond the scope of our remand order. We agree that the district court erred because it lacked power on remand to enlarge a judgment in this fashion where the mandate made no such provision. Briggs v. Pennsylvania Railroad Co., 334 U.S. 304, 306, 68 S.Ct. 1039, 1040, 92 L.Ed. 1403 (1948). An error of this nature could be corrected by amending our mandate and granting leave to the district court to amend its judgment. Fed.R.Civ.P. 60(a). However, while we may amend our mandates to protect the integrity of our own process, Perkins v. Standard Oil Co., 487 F.2d 672, 674 (9th Cir.1973), or to prevent injustice, National Surety Corp. v. Charles Carter & Company, 621 F.2d 739, 741 (5th Cir.1980), we see no reason to do so in this case. We therefore reverse the award of prejudgment interest. 25 Robert's also objects to the district court's finding that plaintiffs are entitled to costs for appellate and post-remand expenses. Our remand order made no mention of such costs. See Fed.R.App.P. 39(a). In addition, the district court's judgment did not include the costs found allowable, and the record does not show that any were taxed. Although the procedural deficiencies could be corrected, plaintiffs have expressly stated on this appeal that they do not seek reimbursement of these costs. Therefore, we see no need to consider Robert's argument. 26 The judgment of the district court with respect to back pay and attorney's fees is AFFIRMED. The judgment of the district court with regard to prejudgment interest is REVERSED. Costs on this appeal are awarded to plaintiffs.