Document: 541 U.S. 369 JONES ET AL., ON BEHALF OF HERSELF AND A CLASS OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATEDv.R. R. DONNELLEY & SONS CO. No. 02-1205. Supreme Court of United States. Argued February 24, 2004. Decided May 3, After this held that federal courts should apply the most appropriate state statute limitations to claims arising under 42 U. S. C. § 1981, which contains no limitations, see Goodman v. Lukens Steel Co., 482 656, 660, Congress enacted a 4-year for causes action "arising an Act after [December 1, 1990]," 28 1658. Petitioners, African-American former employees respondent, filed class alleging violations as amended by Civil Rights 1991. Respondent sought summary judgment, claiming applicable 2-year barred their claims, but District petitioners' wrongful discharge, refusal transfer, and hostile work environment arose 1991 therefore are governed The Seventh Circuit reversed, concluding 1658 does not cause based on post-1990 amendment pre-existing statute. Held: Petitioners' Pp. 375-385. (a) Because meaning under" in is ambiguous, Congress' intent must be ascertained looking beyond section's bare text context it was purposes designed accomplish. 375-377. (b) Before 1658's enactment, failure pass uniform had created void spawned vast amount litigation. settled practice borrowing statutes generated host issues, such forum State's appropriate, whether law or situs injury controlled, when could tolled. keenly aware these problems, central purpose minimize need borrowing. That would served if were interpreted reach only entirely new sections States Code. An existing less "Act Congress" than new, stand-alone What matters rights corresponding liabilities enactment. Thus, "aris[es] enacted" December 1990—and limitations—if plaintiff's claim against defendant made possible This construction best serves interest alleviating uncertainty inherent while protecting litigants' expectations applying actions available until 1990. It also consistent with common usage "arise" Court's interpretations used governing scope subject-matter jurisdiction. 377-383. (c) environment, termination, transfer all "ar[ose] sense they Act. overturned decision Patterson McLean Credit Union, 491 164, 171, racial harassment relating employment conditions actionable 1981. redefined 1981's key "make enforce contracts" language include "termination contracts, enjoyment benefits, privileges, terms, contractual relationship," 1981(b). In Rivers Roadway Express, Inc., 511 298, enlarged category conduct subject 1981 liability, id., at 303, thus did case before enacted, 300. Rivers' reasoning supports conclusion qualifies 1990]." clearly Act, hypothetical problems posited respondent pale comparison difficulties faced decades trying answer questions raised rules. 383-385. 305 F. 3d 717, reversed remanded. STEVENS, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT APPEALS FOR SEVENTH CIRCUIT. H. Candace Gorman argued briefs petitioners. Gregory G. Garre amicus curiae urging reversal. With him brief Solicitor General Olson, Acting Assistant Attorney Wiggins, Deputy Clement, Dennis J. Dimsey, Linda Thome. Carter Phillips respondent. Virginia A. Seitz, Jonathan Cohn, Richard Schnadig, Thomas Abram, Lawrence L. Summers. Kevin Newsom, Alabama, State Alabama et al. amici affirmance. On William Pryor, Jr., General, Nathan Forrester, Attorneys respective follows: Mark Bennett Hawaii, P. Ieyoub Louisiana, Reilly Massachusetts, Greg Abbott Texas, Shurtleff Utah.* JUSTICE STEVENS 1 Like many statutes, contain limitations. We 660 (1987), "the analogous limitations" asserted Three years our Goodman, catchall U.S.C. question action, allege (1991 Act), 105 Stat. 1071, personal State. 2 * Petitioners respondent's Chicago manufacturing division. November 25, 1996, petitioners Specifically, three classes plaintiffs alleged subjected racially given inferior employee status, wrongfully terminated denied connection closing plant. judgment ground Illinois because more two complaint filed. responded 1658, provides: "Except otherwise provided law, civil date enactment section may commenced later 4 accrues."1 Section date. 3 original version now codified Rev. 1977, 1866, 14 27. minor respects 1870 recodified 1874, Runyon McCrary, 427 160, 168-169, n. 8 (1976), its basic coverage change prior As first relevant part "all persons [within jurisdiction States] shall have same right, every Territory . make contracts enjoyed white citizens." 164 (1989), statutory right "to protect harassing occurred formation contract. Under holding, clear do 1991, however, adding subsection defines term "`make contracts'" relationship." 1981(b).2 undisputed critical question, then, originally enacted. determined Adams Donnelley Sons, 149 Supp. 2d 459 (ND Ill. 2001).3 view, plain compels that, "whenever Congress, 1990, passes legislation creates catch-all applies action." Id., 464. falls within category, court reasoned, opened door postcontract discrimination Patterson, been brought 2d, 5 certified ruling interlocutory appeal pursuant 1292(b), Appeals reversed. 717 (CA7 2002). concluded "applies act wholly one depend continued existence previously kept force amendment." 726. satisfy test, explained, 1981(b) "simply cannot stand own"; instead, merely redefines without altering "provides recovery individual whose constitutional violated." 727. 6 Appeals' decisions from Third Eighth Circuits. See Zubi AT&T Corp., 219 220, 224 (CA3 2000); Madison IBP, 257 780, 798 (CA8 2001). Conversely, Courts Sixth Tenth Circuits action," amends Harris Allstate Insurance 300 1183, 1190 (CA10 2002); accord, Anthony BTR Automotive Sealing Systems, 339 506, 514 (CA6 2003). granted certiorari resolve conflict Circuits, 538 1030 (2003), reverse. II 7 supported curiae, argue reversal required "plain language" prescribes "civil action[s] after" They point out is, own "Act" "enacted" Pub. 102-166, 1071. Moreover, citing other Article III Constitution, maintain concedes argues so clear. agree. Although expositions concept contexts helpful interpreting way obvious answer. For example, Chief Justice Marshall's statement arises whenever "forms ingredient cause," Osborn Bank States, 9 Wheat. 738, 823 (1824), view ingredient" claims.4 But said reliance suggest pre-1991 well just arise both law. observed, expressly "address eventuality `aris[es] under' different `Acts,' effective 1658." 3d, 724. we look III, how has legislation. particular Title define jurisdiction.5 those mean provides necessary element relief.6 recognize construed broadly statutes,7 placement suggests meant invoke interpretation neighboring jurisdictional hesitate place too much significance location even accepted proposition intended 28, follow unambiguous. "[t]he familiar definition `arising limitation" Holmes suit "`arises action,'" Franchise Tax Bd. Cal. Construction Laborers Vacation Trust Southern Cal., 463 8-9 (1983) (quoting American Well Works Co. Layne Bowler 241 257, 260 (1916)). hand, support exist. operative setting forth elements claims. Holmes' formulation versions Cf. T. B. Harms Eliscu, 823, 827 (CA2 1964) (Friendly, J.) ("It come realized Mr. formula useful inclusion exclusion intended"). order ascertain intent, therefore, 10 Board Regents Univ. N. Y. Tomanio, 446 478, 483 (1980), observed enact "void commonplace law." Over Prior "settled [was] adopt local time limitation inconsistent policy so." Wilson Garcia, 471 261, 266-267 (1985). Such "[l]imitation borrowing," S., 484, issues resolution statute-by-statute basis. often difficult determine claim. wrestled issue considered principle 1983. 268, 276-279 (resolving split authority over closest analogue 1983 tortious another, unwritten contract, liability statute). reaching characterization characterized way. Ibid. Two later, answered 661-662. Both provoked dissent8 further litigation.9 11 forced address "frequently present problem laws determining controlling, injury." Rep. 619, 84th Cong., 1st Sess., 4-6 (1955) (discussing caused antitrust claims).10 Even able identify statute, resulted defendants, plaintiff find herself raising precisely B permitted proceed. Interstate variances sort especially confounding posed joint resolution. Memorandum Marcus, Assoc. Reporter Workload Subcommittee (Sept. 1989), reprinted App. Vol. Federal Study Committee, Working Papers Reports (1990), Doc. 5, p. (hereinafter Marcus Memorandum). grapple "commenced," service process effectuated. Sentry Corp. Harris, 802 229 1986) (addressing wake Wilson). And absence period complicated development when, what circumstances, 234-242 conflicting tolling matter law); 485 (explaining "`borrowing' logically included [state] rules tolling"). 12 Those led commentators "cal[l] upon eliminate complex cases, consume energies judges little advance justice, enacting periods 246.11 call creating recommended retroactive, limitations.12 noted, follows Committee's recommendation. House Report accompanying final bill confirms associated occasions practice.13 13 history strongly fills rather unnecessary judges.14 favored subverts goal restricting cases solely "`establishes reference preexisting law.'" 727 225). small fraction enactments. routinely amending "[a]ltering definitions, definitions terms undefined, statutes." 308 (1994). Nothing limit substantive effect enactment—the creation liabilities—not format appears reasoned narrow lest disrupt expectations. refused retroactive because, "`with respect explicit provision, long since resolved judicial decision,'" "`retroactively imposing four year ruled six month [State], ten threaten parties.'" 725-726 101-734, 24 (1990)). Concerns about provide valid reason reject any suffice trigger regardless available—and limitations—prior concerns not, carry weight reading adopted urged petitioners, If exist potential litigants formed then disrupted application 15 conclude interests. spares leaves "borrowed" already done. 16 Interpreting word "come into being; originate"15 "spring up."16 Finally, By contrast, nothing endorsed Appeals, means something akin "based upon." avoid give foreign used. IV 17 case, "racial 1981." 171 (emphasis added). defining recognized "enlarged liability," enacted," Our fully "an 1990]" violation pre-1990 contained 18 While seems eminently case,17 various might unamended Similarly, amendments problematic some "`the line between modifies draw.'" 725 224). persuaded "guess work," 725, stood her necessarily subsequent amendment. determinations dealing (such 1981) retroactively.18 event, statutes. 19 remanded proceedings opinion. 20 ordered. Notes: Barbara Arnwine, Henderson, Michael Foreman, Kristin M. Dadey, Courtland Hayes, Vincent Eng Lawyers' Committee Law Ann Elizabeth Reesman Equal Employment Advisory Council 2002, add separate provision (subsection (b)) specifying certain securities Corporate Criminal Fraud Accountability 107-204, 804(a), 116 801. (quoted above) left unchanged set (a). 1658(a) (2000 ed., III) current reads "(a) Statement equal "All sue, parties, evidence, full benefit security property citizens, like punishment, pains, penalties, taxes, licenses, exactions kind, other. "(b) `Make contracts' defined "For section, `make includes making, performance, modification, termination relationship. "(c) Protection impairment "The protected nongovernmental color found somewhat regarding status (which involved allegations using "`temporary'" "`casual'" employees), directed parties "sort amongst themselves light of" ruling. 460, 465 Indeed, appear true virtuallyany amendment, stated preamendment. See,e. g., 1331 ("The district laws, treaties States"); 1338(a) patents, plant variety protection, copyrights trademarks"). Christianson Colt Industries Operating 486 800, 808 (1988) (a "`aris[e] under'" "`federal [a claim]'"); Group, Inc. Vornado Air Circulation 535 826, 830 (2002) patent either action'" relief depends substantial law'"). Heckler Ringer, 466 602, 615 (1984) Medicare 405(h) "`both standing basis presentation'" Act). SeeWilson 280 (1985) (O'CONNOR, dissenting); 669 (1987) (Brennan, concurring dissenting part); 680 (Powell, part). Smith Firestone Tire Rubber 875 1325, 1326-1328 1989) (concluding rule established retroactively). prompted 1955 treble damages laws. 15b. "[i]t primary put end confusion where laws") also,e. Lowenthal, Pastuszenski, Greenwald, Special Project, Time Bars Specialized Common Law: Action Statutes Limitations, 65 Cornell 1011, 1105 (1980); Blume George, Limitations Courts, 49 Mich. 937, 992-993 (1951); Note, Without Provisions, 53 Colum. 68, 77-78 (1953); Disparities Causes Action, Yale 745 (1940). report prepared "there favor situation there identifiable continuing situation." notes "a number practical problems" limitations: "`It obligates lawyers claim; imposes litigants; varying results undesirable variance among disrupts doctrine suspension periods.'" (1990) few described supplying general, subsequently own."North Star Thomas, 515 29, 34, (1995). his SCALIA captured he nationwide always significantly appropriate" others. 37 (opinion judgment). Heritage Dictionary 96 (4th ed. Black's 138 (rev. 4th 1968) Oxford English 629 (2d 1989); Dictionary, "[i]n nature `new' expanded, spoken 1991." Brief 26 viable post-1991 will particularly clarified liabilities. analysis hardly ken: deciding applied retrospectively. Hughes Aircraft ex rel. Schumer, 520 939, 948-950 (1997). overlap retroactivity statute-of-limitations inquiries undermines generate additional judges.

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