Document: 434 U.S. 412 98 S.Ct. 694 54 L.Ed.2d 648 CHRISTIANSBURG GARMENT CO., Petitioner,v.EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION. No. 76-1383. Argued Nov. 28, 29, 1977. Decided Jan. 23, 1978. Syllabus Two years after a racial discrimination charge under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act 1964 had been filed against petitioner company, respondent, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), notified complainant that its conciliation efforts failed and she right to sue which did not do. Almost two later, § 14 1972 amendments authorized EEOC in own name on charges "pending" with effective date amendments. The then sued complainant's District Court granted petitioner's motion for summary judgment ground at time company petitioned allowance attorney's fees pursuant 706(k) VII, authorizes district court discretion allow prevailing party reasonable fee. Finding EEOC's action bringing suit was "unreasonable or meritless" statutory interpretation "frivolous," ruled an award justified. Appeals affirmed. Held : 1. Although plaintiff proceeding is ordinarily be awarded by all but special circumstances, defendant such only when exercise has found plaintiff's frivolous, unreasonable, without foundation. Pp. 415-422. (a) There are least strong equitable considerations favoring fee wholly absent case defendant, viz. Congress' chosen instrument vindicate "a policy Congress considered highest priority," Newman v. Piggie Park Enterprises, 390 400, 402, 88 964, 19 1263, awards counsel plaintiff, it awarding them violator federal law. 418-419. (b) No provision would have necessary based bad faith action, even American common-law rule (which does party) can who proceeded faith. P. 419. 2. properly applied foregoing standards abuse concluding 423-424. 550 F.2d 949, Thomas S. Martin, Washington, D. C., respondent. William W. Sturges, Charlotte, N. petitioner. Mr. Justice STEWART delivered opinion Court. 1 Section provides: 2 "In any this title court, discretion, may . ."1 3 question what circumstances should allowed action—a about courts expressed divergent views. 4 * Rosa Helm Christiansburg Garment Co. (company), her court. She do so. 1972, enacted VII.2 these prosecute "charges pending Commission" Proceeding section, alleging engaged unlawful employment practices violation amended Act. moved ground, inter alia, before took effect. agreed favor company. 376 F.Supp. 1067 (W.D.Va.).3 5 VII. "the Commission's cannot characterized as unreasonable meritless," concluded "an justified case."4 A divided affirmed, 949 (CA4), we certiorari consider important law, 432 905, 97 2948, 53 1077. II 6 It general United States absence legislation providing otherwise, litigants must pay their fees. Alyeska Pipeline Wilderness Society, 421 240, 95 1612, 44 141. provided limited exceptions "under selected statutes granting protecting various rights." Id., 260, 1623. Some make mandatory plaintiffs;5 others permissive limit certain parties, usually plaintiffs.6 But many more flexible, authorizing either plaintiffs defendants, entrusting effectuation courts.7 falls into last category, party. 7 In substantially identical statute 1964.8 prevailed, held they "only extent respondents' defenses advanced 'for purposes delay good faith.' " 401, 966. We "subjective standard" effectuate counsel-fee II. Relying primarily intent cast role 'private attorney general,' vindicating "should recover unless render unjust." noted passing if objective permit defendants acted faith, "no new necessary," since allows those exce tional circumstances. 966 n. 4.9 8 Albemarle Paper Moody, 422 405, 2362, 45 280, made clear standard successful equally applicable U.S., 415, S.Ct., 2370. See also Northcross Memphis Board Education, 427, 428, 93 2201, 37 48. thus taken established, parties both acknowledge, circumstances.10 III 9 us inform court's deciding whether action. Not surprisingly, addressing briefs oral arguments almost diametrically opposite positions.11 10 contends criterion apply guide defendant. Its submission, short, every receive "unless unjust."12 respondent Commission, contrast, argues brought neither positions correct. 11 terms plain meaning statute," language admits one interpretation: "A entitled same basis plaintiff." discretionary invite, let alone require, mechanical construction. provide no indication whatever And moment's reflection reveals there counseling 12 First, emphasized so forcefully Park, priority." Second, As clearly perceived, "these support present defendant." 951. seeking rely quite different considerations. 13 company's position untenable, argument misses mark. seems clear, enacting intend situation where motivated pointed out Congress, necessary, long established faith.13 Furthermore, while certainly 966, entrusted ultimate adversary judicial process, Occidental Life Ins. EEOC, 355, 2447, 402. fair process presupposes vigorous prosecution defense. lightly assumed 706(k), intended distort giving private substantial incentives sue, foreclosing possibility recovering his expenses resisting groundless he show B 15 sparse legislative history little than barest outlines proper accommodation competing discussed. specific reference debates indicates included "make easier means bring meritorious suit."14 During Senate floor discussions II, however, several Senators explained serve "to deter lawsuits foundation,"15 discourage frivolous suits,"16 diminish likelihood unjustified suits being brought."17 If anything gleaned from fragments history, wanted way Act, protect burdensome litigation having legal factual basis. Columbia Circuit drawn maximum significance concluded: 16 "[From debates] emerge. desired 'make suit' second, important, 'deter foundation' 'prevailing party'—be could obtain fees." Grubbs Butz, 179 U.S.App.D.C. 18, 20, 548 973, 975. 17 first appellate criteria govern Third Steel Corp. States, 519 359. denied successfully resisted demand documents, finding 'unfounded, meritless, vexatiously brought.' 363. abused denying award. 365. similar adopted Second Carrion Yeshiva University, 535 722. upholding stated permitted "not routinely, simply because succeeds, meritless vexatious." 727.18 18 To abstract words deal concrete cases, think concept embodied Courts qualify pointing term "meritless" understood foundation, rather ultimately lost case, "vexatious" implies subjective prerequisite him. sum, upon though applying criteria, resist understandable temptation engage post hoc reasoning that, prevail, This kind hindsight logic most airtight claims, seldom prospective sure success. matter how honest one's belief victim discrimination, claim appear outset, course rarely predictable. Decisive facts emerge until discovery trial. law change clarify midst litigation. Even questionable unfavorable entirely suit. 20 That assure will itself operate incentive claims chance success.19 take further step assessing finally prevail add risks inhering undercut promote enforcement provisions Hence, assessed opponent's finds groundless, tha continued litigate became And, needless say, stronger charging him incurred defense.20 IV 21 focused prevailed issue impression requiring resolution" "Commission's frivolous." exercised squarely within permissible bounds 706(k). Accordingly, decision 22 ordered. 23 BLACKMUN part consideration case. provides full: party, other costs, shall liable costs person." 78 Stat. 261, 42 U.S.C. 2000e-5(k). Pub.L. 92-261, 86 103. argued remained complaint dismissed dispute resolved through conciliation. supported construction references 1970 legally open it, authority over terminated date. 14's cases still negotiation conciliation" F.Supp., 1074. rejected merits additional grounds judgment. dealing reported, FEP Cases 533. See, e. g., Clayton 38 731, 15; Fair Labor Standards 1938, 52 1069, amended, 29 216(b); Packers Stockyards 165, 210(f); Truth Lending 82 157, 1640(a); Merchant Marine 1936, 49 2015, 46 1227. Privacy 1974, 1897, 552a(g)(2)(B) (1976 ed.); Housing 1968, 88, 3612(c). Trust Indenture 1939, 1171, 77ooo(e); Securities Exchange 1934, 48 889, 897, §§ 78i(e), 78r(a); Federal Water Pollution Control 33 1365(d) (1970 ed., Supp. V); Clean Air 84 1706, 1857h-2(d); Noise 1244, 4911(d) V). commenced subchapter, 2000a-3(b). propriety losing expressly reaffirmed 258-259, 1622, Chastang Flynn & Emrich Co., 541 1040, 1045 (CA4) (finding "special circumstances" justifying plaintiff); Univ., 722, 727 (CA2); Johnson Georgia Highway Express, Inc., 488 714, 716 (CA5); Parham Southwestern Bell Telephone 433 421, 429-430 (CA8). Briefs amici each view Judge Widener, dissenting Appeals, 952 (CA4). At view. Bailey 563 439, 456 (CA6); Allegheny-Ludlum Industries, 558 742, 744 (CA5). n.9, supra. Had plaintiffs, congressional pre-empted rule, therefore, Cf. Byram Concretanks, Inc. Warren Concrete Products Company New Jersey, 374 649, 651 (CA3). purpose form foreclose argument. Remarks Senator Humphrey, 110 Cong.Rec. 12724 (1964). Lausche, id., 13668. Pastore, 14214. 6534. three Circuits agreement. Bolton Murray Envelope Corp., 553 881, 884 n.2 20-21, 975-976; Wright Stone Container 524 1058, 1063-1064 remarks Miller, 14214 (1964), parallel Initially, "costs" assessable Government include 359, 362 (CA3); Van Hoomissen Xerox 503 1131, 1132-1133 (CA9). and, during appealing abandoned contention immune adverse F.2d, urged rest governing plaintiffs. One amicus stresses unlike litigants, needs inducement enforce required distinction between merely explains why drafted preclude recovery Commission; difference treatment among seeks Several commentators deemed significant Government's greater ability compared litigant. supra, 364 n.24; Heinsz, Attorney's Fees Prevailing Defendants: Toward Workable Standard, U.Toledo L.Rev. 259, 290 (1977); Comment, 1964: Award Defendants, 1976 Wis.L.Rev. 207, 228. informed, paid budget, assessment inevitably divert resources agency's Comp.Gen. 98, 100 (1966); 343, 344-345 (1958). side coin fact small- moderate-size employers whom expense defending become disincentive rights. sides question. Yet explicitly although distinctions determining reasonableness efforts, find whenever plaintiff.

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