Opinion ID: 220788
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Standard for Equitable Tolling

Text: In determining whether equitable tolling should be granted, we address two questions: (1) whether the petitioner faced extraordinary circumstances that stood in the way of timely filing; and (2) whether he or she exercised reasonable diligence. Pace v. DiGuglielmo, 544 U.S. 408, 418, 125 S.Ct. 1807, 161 L.Ed.2d 669 (2005); see also Merritt v. Blaine, 326 F.3d 157, 168 (3d Cir.2003) (same). In Holland v. Florida the Supreme Court confirmed that equitable tolling may be applied to AEDPA's statutory limitations period. ___ U.S. ___, 130 S.Ct. 2549, 2560, 177 L.Ed.2d 130 (2010). [20] There are no bright lines in determining whether equitable tolling is warranted in a given case. Rather, the particular circumstances of each petitioner must be taken into account. Id. at 2563. As Holland explains, while prior decisions provide guidance, rigid reliance on precedent should be avoided. Id. In each case, there is a need for flexibility, avoiding `mechanical rules,' and awareness ... that specific circumstances, often hard to predict in advance, could warrant special treatment in an appropriate case. Id. (internal citation omitted). [21] In sum, equitable tolling is appropriate when principles of equity would make the rigid application of a limitation period unfair. Miller v. N.J. State Dep't of Corr., 145 F.3d 616, 618 (3d Cir.1998); see also LaCava v. Kyler, 398 F.3d 271, 275 (3d Cir. 2005). However, courts need to be sparing in their use of the doctrine. Jones v. Morton, 195 F.3d 153, 159 (3d Cir. 1999).