Document: 417 U.S. 622 94 S.Ct. 2513 41 L.Ed.2d 358 Joseph P. MOODY et al.v.ALBEMARLE PAPER COMPANY al. WILLIAMS v. ALBEMARLE CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION. No. 73—899. Decided June 17, 1974. PER CURIAM. 1 Appeals from the judgments of trial courts in two cases were heard and determined by separate three-judge divisions Court for Fourth Circuit. Sitting designation as members each senior judges Circuit.1 Following decisions both divisions, unsuccessful parties petitioned rehearings banc pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 46(c):2 2 mined a court or division not more than three judges, unless hearing rehearing before is ordered majority circuit who are regular active service. A shall consist all judge has retired service also be competent sit case controversy if he sat at original thereof.' (Emphasis added.) 3 It had been practice Circuit count votes that when acted on question whether order banc. In those cases, however, crucial. Certificate 3. Here, their Moody, while 'majority service' did vote banc, so vote; votes, counted, would make rehearing. Williams, Judges voted against rehearing; with his counted fail an equal voting. 4 Accordingly, have, 1254(3), certified us was member may determine should reheard Because importance administration judicial business circuits, well pending Circuit, we granted leave invited file briefs response certified. Upon consideration filed litigants sides conclude answer negative; originally assigned authorized Congress participate determination rehear 5 The power appeals hear first Textile Mills Corp. Commissioner, 314 326, 62 272, 86 L.Ed. 249 (1941). 1948, provided legislative ratification enacting 46(c) Judicial Code, which then hearings be: 6 'ordered circuit.' (1952 ed.). 7 Western Pacific Railroad Case, 345 247, 73 656, 97 986 (1953), occasion construe 1948 statute, it grant creation right compel such even addressed itself procedure governing exercise this power, holding 'left free devise its own administrative machinery provide means whereby hearing.'3 Id., 250, S.Ct., 658. This discretion subsequently confirmed. Shenker Baltimore & Ohio R. Co., 374 1, 5, 83 1667, 1670, 10 709 (1963); United States American-Foreign S.S. Corp., 363 685, 688, 80 1336, 1338, 1491 (1960). 8 one these latter American-Foreign, arose under language statute whether, voted, eligible decision merits. held sit. 1963 enacted present version 46(c), provides 'competent banc' merits case. But concerning how orders changed, except reinforce limitation adding 'regular' 'active service,' sharpening definition ordering 9 thus confines 'regular service.' Although, held, largely whatever procedures they choose initiate process rehearing, decide preliminary procedures, see n. 3, supra, neither nor suggested any other making Obviously can reached only As revealed decisional statutory evolution institution court, eligibility participation therein exception, rule. We liberty engraft upon meaning inconsistent historical limitations. Indeed, very purpose supports our conclusion have implication Federal Rule indicates, 2, normally reserved questions exceptional importance, secure maintain uniformity within circuit. wise use "determine major doctrinal trends future" particular U.S., 690, 1339, appears contemplated need intimate current working knowledge of, among things, circuit, magnitude nature future workload. Senior resource extraordinary value willingness undertake important assignments 'without economic incentive kind.' 688 4, 1338. Consistent therewith, participated hearing, later case; amendment Code. voting quite different essentially policy administration. vested authority responsibility exclusively 'circuit 46(c); because nature, cannot assume do includes other. 11 therefore answered negative.4 12 Mr. Justice POWELL took no part composed seven service, 44, but remain available duties designated assigned, known 294(b). Moody Albemarle Paper decided appeal, 474 F.2d 134; Williams City Board Education, designated, 485 232; 294(c). App.Proc. 35 part: '(a) When Hearing Rehearing Banc Will Be Ordered. appeal proceeding Such favored ordinarily will (1) full necessary decisions, (2) involves importance. '(b) Suggestion Party Banc. party suggest appropriateness clerk transmit suggestion taken cause panel rendered sought requests made party.' 'Cases controversies deter- devised Ninth governed initiation polling Although there some uncertainty indeed machinery, 263, 664, 986, delegate poll court. 259, 662. Two district judges. 644. similar kind now set forth Fed.Rule 35(b), requested reheard. discussed issue ruled similarly. Zahn International 469 1033, 1040-1042 (CA2 1972) (statements dissent denial banc); Allen Johnson, 391 527, 532 (CA5 1968) (in banc).

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