Document: 498 U.S. 269 111 S.Ct. 648 112 L.Ed.2d 743 FIRSTIER MORTGAGE COMPANY, aka Realbanc, Inc., Petitionerv.INVESTORS INSURANCE COMPANY. No. 89-1063. Argued Oct. 10, 1990. Decided Jan. 15, 1991. Jack S. Dawson, Oklahoma City, Okl., for petitioner. John P. Roberts, respondent. Syllabus Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 4(a)(2) provides that a "notice appeal filed after the announcement decision or order but before entry judgment shall be treated as such and on day thereof." On January 26, 1989, District Court announced from bench it intended to grant motion summary by respondent Investors Mortgage Insurance Co. (IMI) in suit brought petitioner FirsTier against IMI, requested parties file proposed findings fact conclusions law support ruling, clarified its ruling extinguished all FirsTier's claims. notice February 8, identifying 26 which was appealing, did not enter until March 3. The Appeals dismissed ground final appealable under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. Held: permits nonfinal serve an effective subsequently entered when district court announces would if immediately followed judgment. In instance, reasonable litigant believe is final, permitting become catch appellee surprise. This interpretation best comports with drafters' intent. And does contravene 1(b)'s prohibition construing appellate rules extend limit courts' jurisdiction established law. Even were 1291, render contravention Rather, treats premature instant "decision" Rule. It purported dispose claims have been 1291 had judge set forth his clerk docket. confusion litigation's status understandable, no unfairness IMI results allowing go forward. Pp. 272-277. Reversed remanded. MARSHALL, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. KENNEDY, concurring opinion. Justice MARSHALL 1 this case, respondent, had, at court's request, submitted question presented whether 4(a)(2). We hold is. 2 * Respondent, (IMI), issued eight insurance policies petitioner, (FirsTier). these insure risk borrower default real estate loans made. After borrowers defaulted, policies, refused pay. Invoking Court's diversity 1332, suit, seeking damages IMI's alleged breach contract duty good faith fair dealing. 3 held hearing argument counsel, granting motion. stated secured through fraud bad therefore void: 4 "I find should are cancelled void want [sic ] fraud, faith. has heard evidence matter change mind holding void. 5 "Of course case kind, losing party right appeal. If happens wrong, I don't think am, could righted Circuit. 6 "The [IMI] relied package [of information furnished FirsTier] each honest. dishonest. dishonesty policy." App. 27. 7 then submit adding thereafter permitted any objections might findings: 8 will look what you your suggestion only. modify, add it, delete write own we talked about. 9 . 10 "And [FirsTier] cares do so, within five days may objection wherein suggestions error, care so." Ibid. 11 Finally, both claim Id., 28. 12 appealing. 3, entitled separate document, also dated See Fed.Rule Civ.Proc. 58 (requiring "[e]very document"). 13 notifying considering dismissing lack jurisdiction, brief two issues: first, prematurely; and, second, Pet. Cert. B-2. address despite identified appealed from. id., A-2. granted certiorari, 494 1003, 110 1295, 108 472 (1990), now reverse. II 14 issue us fatally premature. 4(a)(1) requires appellant "within 30 date from." 2107. close month However, "filed thereof."1 Added Rules 1979, codify general practice courts appeals deeming certain notices effective. Advisory Committee's Note App.Proc. 4(a)(2), U.S.C.App., p. 516. recognizes that, unlike tardy appeal, prejudice technical defect prematurity allowed extinguish otherwise proper re Grand Jury Impaneled 21, 1975, 541 F.2d 373, 377 (CA3 1976) (cited approval supra, 516); Hodge v. Hodge, 507 87, 89 1975) (same). 15 maintains relation forward provision rescues only "final" meaning 1291.2 further contends constitute decision. For must "en[d] litigation merits," Catlin United States, 324 229, 233, 65 631, 633-34, L.Ed. 911 (1945) (citation omitted),3 "clearly declar[e] intention respect," States F. & M. Schaefer Brewing Co., 356 227, 232, 78 674, 678, 721 (1958). clearly intend terminate merits. Although legal about he rationale more detailed disciplined fashion later date. Moreover, explicitly exclude possibility interim. 16 unnecessary resolve final. erred threshold determination can itself conclude decisions judgment.4 17 To contention cannot permit decision, relies 1(b). 1(b) "shall construed law." According cure enlarging beyond conferred relevant jurisdictional statute. 18 misinterprets Under ripen entered. Once entered, "as entry." Thus, even given relate 19 our view, intent, cases cited confirm. example, Ruby Secretary Navy, 365 385 (CA9 1966), cert. denied, 386 1011, 87 1358, 442 (1967), complaint without action. determined because left open opportunity save cause action amending complaint. F.2d, 387. Nonetheless, ruled 387-389. 20 cites Firchau Diamond National Corp., 345 1965), Ruby. Firchau, appellant's respect one noted nonetheless regarded subsequent case. 270-271. Ruby, other Committee5 suggest protect unskilled who files reasonably mistakenly believes judgment, while failing actual 21 say interlocutory decision—such discovery sanction Civil Procedure—to A belief reasonable. operate instances, litigant's Little accomplished prohibiting reaching merits 89.6 22 Applying principle hand, purposes assuming changed prior remains announce purporting Had following docket, see Fed.Rules 79(a), there circumstances, finality reasonable, 3.7 23 conclusion, observe presents precisely situation contemplated 4(a)(2)'s drafters. time understandable. By sought, albeit inartfully, No III 24 Because rendered because, virtue constituted timely Accordingly, reversed, remanded proceedings consistent 25 So ordered. concurring. 27 concur determines trial court, though necessarily sufficient attributes saving Procedure. appropriate talk terms "the claims." Ante, 277. add, however, applies well "order," some orders they possess finality. 1292(a). cases, operation controlled nature "[e]xcept provided (a)(4) Rule." 4(a)(4) states, pertinent part: "If party: (i) 50(b); (ii) 52(b) amend make additional fact, alteration required granted; (iii) 59 alter judgment; (iv) new trial, run denying disposition above motions effect. prescribed measured disposing above." Section "[t]he States." An exception principle, applicable here, "collateral doctrine," small class rulings end Cohen Beneficial Industrial Loan 337 541, 545-547, 69 1221, 1225-1226, 93 1528 (1949). refers "a order" (emphasis added). Rule, relates "judgment" designated define mind. offer view term "order" founded statute than 373 1976); 1975); Song Jook Suh Rosenberg, 437 1098 1971). 3(c) "designate part thereof As recognized, 3(c)'s judgment-designation requirement "in light circumstances." Torres Oakland Scavenger 487 312, 316, 2405, 2408, 101 285 (1988); Foman Davis, 371 178, 83 222 (1962). Foman, designates postjudgment noting sufficiently "manifest" misled. 181, 229-30. "decision"—that is, judgment—sufficiently manifests intent 3(c). enumerated 4(a)(4), n. 1, ineffective.

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