Opinion ID: 556653
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: jurisdiction

Text: 14 Although the parties did not question our jurisdiction over these appeals, we are obliged to consider sua sponte possible jurisdictional defects. See Bermudez v. Smith, 797 F.2d 108 (2d Cir.1986) (per curiam); In re Adirondack Railway Corp., 726 F.2d 60, 62 (2d Cir.1984). Ordinarily, a party may not appeal a non-final order, such as the denial of a motion for summary judgment. See 28 U.S.C. Sec. 1291 (1988). However, because of the policy considerations underlying the doctrine of qualified immunity, an order denying qualified immunity on undisputed facts is an appealable order. Bolden v. Alston, 810 F.2d 353, 356 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 896, 108 S.Ct. 229, 98 L.Ed.2d 188 (1987); see Mitchell v. Forsyth, 472 U.S. 511, 105 S.Ct. 2806, 86 L.Ed.2d 411 (1985). Therefore, it is clear that we have jurisdiction over Katz' appeal. 15 No such exception to the general rule applies to the Commission's appeal. The Commission argues, however, that because the issues that Katz appeals are closely connected to the issues presented in the Commission's motion for summary judgment, this Court should exercise pendent appellate jurisdiction over its appeal. 16 Pendent appellate jurisdiction is a procedural device that rarely should be used because of the danger of abuse. Akerman v. Oryx Communications, Inc., 810 F.2d 336, 339 (2d Cir.1987); see McCowan v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., 908 F.2d 1099, 1105 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 111 S.Ct. 250, 112 L.Ed.2d 209 (1990). Only in exceptional circumstances should litigants, over whom this Court cannot ordinarily exercise jurisdiction, be permitted to ride on the jurisdictional coattails of another party. Because no extraordinary situation is presented in this case, we decline to exercise pendent appellate jurisdiction and dismiss the Commission's appeal.