Document: 534 U.S. 506122 S.Ct. 992152 L.Ed.2d 1 NOTICE: This opinion is subject to formal revision before publication in the preliminary print of United States Reports. Readers are requested notify Reporter Decisions, Supreme Court States, Washington, D. C. 20543, any typographical or other errors, order that corrections may be made goes press.AKOS SWIERKIEWICZ, PETITIONERv.SOREMA, N.A. No. 00-1853. SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES Argued January 15, 2002Decided February 26, 2002 Syllabus Petitioner, a 53-year-old native Hungary, filed this suit against respondent, his former employer, alleging he had been fired on account national origin violation Title VII Civil Rights Act 1964, and age Age Discrimination Employment 1967 (ADEA). In affirming District Court's dismissal complaint, Second Circuit relied its settled precedent requiring an employment discrimination complaint allege facts constituting prima facie case under framework set forth McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 792, 802. The court held petitioner failed meet burden because allegations were insufficient as matter law raise inference discrimination. Held: An need not contain specific establishing framework, but instead must only "a short plain statement claim showing pleader entitled relief," Fed. Rule Civ. Proc. 8(a)(2). framework-which requires plaintiff show (1) membership protected group, (2) qualification for job question, (3) adverse action, (4) circumstances supporting discrimination-is evidentiary standard, pleading requirement. See, e.g., U.S., at 800. has never indicated requirements apply pleading. Moreover, does where, example, able produce direct evidence See Trans World Airlines, Inc. Thurston, 469 111, 121. Under Circuit's heightened however, without time plead even though discovery might uncover such evidence. It seems incongruous require plaintiff, survive motion dismiss, more than ultimately prove succeed merits if discovered. precise can vary with context "never intended rigid, mechanized, ritualistic." Furnco Constr. Waters, 438 567, 577. difficult define formulation required particular unearthed relevant Consequently, should transposed into rigid standard cases. Imposing conflicts 8(a)'s express language, which simply "give defendant fair notice what plaintiff's grounds upon it rests." Conley Gibson, 355 41, 47. A dismiss clear no relief could granted proved consistent allegations. Hishon King & Spalding, 467 69, 73. Petitioner's easily satisfies gives respondent basis claims they rest. addition, states ADEA. Thus, sufficient respondent's dismiss. Pp. 3-9. 5 Appx. 63, reversed remanded. ON WRIT CERTIORARI TO APPEALS FOR SECOND CIRCUIT Thomas, J., delivered unanimous Court. Opinion Justice Thomas presents question whether lawsuit by 792 (1973). We hold include relief." 2 * Petitioner Akos Swierkiewicz who was 53 years old.1 April 1989, began working Sorema N. A., reinsurance company headquartered New York principally owned controlled French parent corporation. initially employed position senior vice president chief underwriting officer (CUO). Nearly six later, Franois M. Chavel, Chief Executive Officer, demoted marketing services transferred bulk responsibilities Nicholas Papadopoulo, 32-year-old who, like Mr. national. About year Chavel stated wanted "energize" department appointed Papadopoulo CUO. one experience promoted, therefore less experienced qualified CUO he, since point 26 insurance industry. 3 Following demotion, contends "was isolated . excluded from business decisions meetings denied opportunity reach true potential SOREMA." App. 26. unsuccessfully attempted discuss discontent. Finally, 1997, sent memo outlining grievances requesting severance package. Two weeks general counsel presented two options: He either resign package dismissed. after refused resign. 4 terminated 78 Stat. 253, amended, 42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq. (1994 ed. Supp. V), (ADEA), 81 602, 29 621 V). 28. Southern dismissed petitioner's found "ha[d] adequately alleged case, ha[d] support discrimination." Id., 42. Appeals affirmed dismissal, relying precedent, Douglas, supra, Tarshis Riese Organization, 211 F.3d 30, 35-36, 38 (CA2 2000); Austin Ford Models, Inc., 149 148, 152-153 1998). "insufficient 65 2001). certiorari, 533 976 (2001), resolve split among Courts concerning proper cases,2 now reverse. II 6 Applying Appx., 64-65. Appeals' view, thus complaint: group; question; action; Ibid.; cf. 802; Texas Dept. Community Affairs Burdine, 450 248, 253-254, n. (1981). 7 "[t]he critical issue us concern[ed] allocation proof private, non-class action challenging 800 (emphasis added). subsequent cases, reiterated relates employee's presenting raises 252-253 ("In [McDonnell Douglas,] we basic burdens presentation discriminatory treatment. First, proving preponderance discrimination" (footnotes omitted)); 255, 8 ("This relationship between presumption created consequential production placed traditional feature common law"). also plaintiffs satisfy For instance, have rejected argument greater "particularity," would "too narrowly constric[t] role pleadings." McDonald Santa Fe Trail Transp. Co., 427 273, 283, 11 (1976). ordinary rules assessing sufficiency apply. Scheuer Rhodes, 416 232, 236 (1974) ("When federal reviews reception affidavit admissions, task necessarily limited one. will prevail claimant offer claims"). 9 system, appropriate every case. discrimination, all elements 121 (1985) ("[T]he test inapplicable where discrimination"). 10 depending 577 (1978); see 802, 13 specification applicable respect differing factual situations"); Teamsters 431 324, 358 (1977) (noting "did purport create inflexible formulation" case); Ring First Interstate Mortgage, 984 F.2d 924, 927 (CA8 1993) ("[T]o measure stage inappropriate"). Before evidence, Given operates flexible Furthermore, imposing cases Federal Procedure 8(a)(2), provides Such 47 (1957). simplified relies liberal summary judgment motions disputed issues dispose unmeritorious claims. id., 47-48; Leatherman Tarrant County Narcotics Intelligence Coordination Unit, 507 163, 168-169 (1993). "The provisions so pretrial procedure effective, surprise practice aborted very easily, synthetic detected, gravamen dispute brought frankly open inspection court." Wright A. Miller, Practice 1202, p. 76 (2d 1990). 12 applies civil actions, exceptions. 9(b), particularity averments fraud mistake.3 Court, declined extend exceptions contexts. stated: "[T]he Rules do address 9(b) certain enumerated actions reference complaints municipal liability 1983. Expressio unius est exclusio alterius." 168. Just makes mention Rev. 1979, 1983 ed., neither refer these most others, simple 8(a).4 Other inextricably linked standard. 8(e)(1) "[n]o technical forms required," 8(f) "[a]ll pleadings shall construed substantial justice." Rules' pleading, "[a] allegations." 73 (1984). If fails specify manner notice, move definite 12(e) responding. 14 lacking merit dealt through 56. 8(a) starting adopted focus litigation claim. Conley, 48 ("The reject approach game skill misstep decisive outcome accept principle purpose facilitate decision merits"). 15 His detailed events leading termination, provided dates, included ages nationalities least some persons involved termination. 24-28. These give state 16 Respondent argues allowing lawsuits based conclusory go forward courts encourage disgruntled employees bring unsubstantiated suits. Brief 34-40. Whatever practical argument, requirement specificity result "must obtained process amending Rules, judicial interpretation." Leatherman, establishes regard merits. "Indeed appear face recovery remote unlikely test." Scheuer, 236. 17 foregoing reasons, 18 Accordingly, reversed, remanded further proceedings opinion. 19 ordered. Notes: Because review here granting contained complaint. 164 majority (1973), Sparrow Air Lines, 216 1111, 1114 (CADC Bennett Schmidt, 153 516, 518 (CA7 1998); 924 1993). Others, maintain each element addition below, Jackson Columbus, 194 737, 751 (CA6 1999). "In mistake, mistake particularity. Malice, intent, knowledge, condition mind person averred generally." exemplified Forms, "are indicate simplicity brevity contemplate." 84. Form sets negligence part: "On June 1, 1936, public highway called Boylston Street Boston, Massachusetts, negligently drove motor vehicle then crossing said highway."

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