Document: 480 U.S. 370 107 S.Ct. 1177 94 L.Ed.2d 389 J.B. STRINGFELLOW, Jr., et al., Petitionersv.CONCERNED NEIGHBORS IN ACTION al. No. 85-184. Argued Jan. 20, 1987. Decided March 9, Syllabus Respondent nonprofit organization, whose members live near a hazardous waste dumpsite, moved to intervene in suit brought by the United States and State of California against petitioners, who owned or operated allegedly dumped there. The sought injunctive relief that would require petitioners abate release harmful substances from site, take remedial steps correct unsafe conditions, reimburse costs bringing about cleanup. Federal District Court denied respondent's request as matter right, but granted its alternative application become permissive intervenor, subject conditions it could not (1) assert any claim for already requested one original parties; (2) cleanup claim; (3) file motions conduct own discovery unless first conferred with all parties obtained permission them. filed an immediate appeal, protesting both denial intervention right restrictions imposed on intervention. Appeals allowed holding was final appealable order within meaning 28 U.S.C. § 1291, despite grant Held: A district court granting denying is immediately appealable. Such "final" traditional sense since does end litigation. Furthermore, fall narrow categories has deemed review purposes. Pp. 374-380. (a) covered "collateral order" exception because party status intervenor will allow obtain effective claims appeal judgment. Although, after long complex trial, might be difficult respondent show harm sufficiently great overturn judgment, this little bearing whether interlocutory under collateral doctrine. complained-of difficulty same faced adverse pretrial order. presented no compelling evidence why here should treated differently than these other orders. 375-377. (b) limitations placed participate cannot construed complete sufficient render reviewable. is, fact, participant case means challenging It significant none interfere ability raise postjudgment appeal. 377-378 (c) come 1292(a)(1), which authorizes appeals orders "refusing . injunctions." Even assuming had effect injunctions respondent, such 1292(a)(1) only if have serious, perhaps irreparable, consequence can effectively challenged Respondent's during post-trial review, challenge limits participation renders inapplicable. 378-379. (d) Section 1291's finality rule protects variety interests contribute efficiency legal system. trial judge's efficient orderly trials frustrated, rather furthered, piecemeal review. P. 380. 755 F.2d 1383 (CA 9 1985), vacated remanded. POWELL, J., delivered opinion Court, REHNQUIST, C.J., WHITE, BLACKMUN, STEVENS, O'CONNOR, SCALIA, JJ., joined, Part II-B BRENNAN MARSHALL, joined. BRENNAN, concurring part post, p. ----. David L. Mulliken, Newport Beach, Cal., petitioners. Paul J. Larkin, Washington, D.C., U.S., support Joel R. Reynolds, Los Angeles, respondents. Justice POWELL Court. 1 question before us 2 * This ongoing litigation concerning Stringfellow Acid Pits, abandoned disposal site Glen Avon, California. Petitioners are individuals, companies, entities formerly produced transported wastes were at site. In 1983 claiming Pits created substantial danger surrounding area. Government plaintiffs conditions. Both also reimbursement incurred 3 Shortly complaint filed, Concerned Neighbors Action (CNA), organization CNA claimed entitled pursuant Rule Civil Procedure 24(a), interest represented adequately existing parties.1 asserted citizen provisions various environmental statutes circumstances.2 Alternatively, 24(b). 4 CNA's intervenor. concluded, however, three First, held been parties. found "allowing applicants their individualized damage burden expand litigation, jeopardize possibility settlement." App. Pet. Cert. A-19. Second, plaintiffs' recovery clean-up costs. Finally, effort "minimize delay confusion involved discovery," ruled parties, then go forward least litigants. Id. A-20. emphasized, though, attend depositions, extent duplicative receive copies material 5 Ninth Circuit initially dismissed finding "final decision" 1291.3 court's decision largely based fact made protect fully noted consistent results reached Courts similar cases.4 subsequently withdrew opinion, concluding inconsistent precedent. Relying v. Block, 690 753, 776 (1982), "[d]enial order, intervention." A-26. ordered further briefing merits application, ultimately must right. Stringfellow, (1985) (order). See 783 821 (1986) (opinion). 6 We certiorari resolve conflict among type 476 1157, 106 2273, 90 717. now vacate remand. II 7 acknowledges sense. clearly "ends leaves nothing do execute judgment." Catlin States, 324 229, 233, 65 631, 633, 89 L.Ed. 911 (1945). Instead, argues falls decisions we purposes even though entire dispute yet resolved. A. 8 primary argument ruling 1291. doctrine recognizes limited class prejudgment important separate underlying available. Cohen Beneficial Industrial Loan Corp., 337 541, 546, 69 1221, 1225, 93 1528 (1949). To qualify must: (i) "conclusively determine disputed question"; (ii) "resolve issue completely action"; (iii) "be unreviewable Coopers & Lybrand Livesay, 437 463, 468, 98 2454, 2458, 57 351 (1978) (footnote omitted). Firestone Tire Rubber Co. Risjord, 449 368, 375, 101 669, 674, 66 571 (1981). Although seeking requirements satisfied, find unnecessary address each test. assume, arguendo, conclusively determined intervene, action. nevertheless "collateral" Lybrand. conclude virtue intervention, 10 An permission, normally judgment court. Fishgold Sullivan Drydock Repair 328 275, 280-283, 1105, 1108-1110, 1230 (1946); Kartell Blue Shield Massachusetts, Inc., 687 543 (CA1 1982). 3B Moore Kennedy, Moore's Practice ¶ 24-15, pp. 24-169—24-170 (2d ed. 1985) (An may "all affect him he intervened originally absolute discretionary"); 7C C. Wright, Miller, M. Kane, 1923, 517 1986). Thus still wishes believes prevented protecting interests, trial. That decide erroneous, so, inability more proceedings affected therefore "irretrievably lost absence appeal." Richardson-Merrell Inc. Koller, 472 424, 431, 105 2757, 2761, 86 340 (1985). 11 pursue But that, given realities over resolved practical significance. once enters this, involving numerous years appellate reluctant erroneous suggests incentives affirm so strong point "right" academic best, thus press strongest possible indeed lost." 12 contention true some degree, beside point. difficulties complains those several example, similarly believe chances overturning ground small, dismissal turns out erroneous. Yet specifically holds otherwise, challenges raised Fed.Rule Civ.Proc. 54(b). supra, 2653, 25-26, 31. presents reason differently. As rights decline extend provide more. B 13 onerous case, intervene. correctly notes when prevents putative becoming respect, Railroad Trainmen Baltimore Ohio Co., 331 519, 524-525, 67 1387, 1389-1390, 91 1646 (1947). action, maintains additional severely undermine influence different participation. Indeed, immediately, worse position rejected full: unable effectively, bound permissiveparty status. urged give "practical" interpretation permissive-intervention constructive denial. 14 accept argument. Trainmen, necessity applicant "[could] subsequent proceeding. ." 524, 1390. recourse terminated party's present proceeding Consequently, justification absent case. And while restricted wish, noted, access information permitted refuse participate. C 15 comes statutory set forth 1292(a)(1). section provides "granting, continuing, modifying, refusing dissolving asserts constituted "refusal" injunction two respects. party, necessarily Complaint Intervention.5 without consent another requesting, much less obtaining, preliminary injunction. 16 fails reasons discussed above. convinced injunction, satisfy clear denials appealable; " 'serious, consequence,' 'effectually challenged' Carson American Brands, 450 79, 84, 993, 996, 59 (1981) (quoting Contractors, Bodinger, 348 176, 181, 75 249, 252, 99 233 (1955)). Because concluded CNA, participation, basis affirming below.6 III 17 past, 1291 Pretrial cause disruption, delay, expense litigants; they courts requiring consideration issues moot irrelevant addition, allowing judges supervise procedures undue interference. 374, S.Ct., 673. Particularly how best balance need keep unmanageable deference. Cf. 24(b)(2) ("In exercising discretion [concerning intervention] shall consider unduly prejudice adjudication parties"). 434, 2763. 18 vacated, remanded instructions dismiss want jurisdiction. 19 ordered. 20 whom MARSHALL joins, 21 I join Court's except II-B. Part, rejects placing constraints "constructively denied" motion rendered Ante, 378. agree reject argument, reasoning "CNA order." Ibid. (emphasis added). explaining what are, refers "CNA's With explanation insufficient. 22 premise constructively able protracted 'right' best," consequently, 'irretrievably lost.' 376. concedes "may degree." pointing availability remedy "academic skirt very asking resolve. 23 There persuasive afford severe placed. likely prove ineffective, available include petition writ mandamus. Before elaborating points, necessary briefly distinction between 24 distinguishes stake joining not. Accordingly, limit intervenor.1 25 illustrates significance types While stem directly unlikely viewed abuse actually Nevertheless, assuming, erred consequently imposing 26 party.2 If theory denial, follow afforded there deny party. For seek crucial entered summary seriously disrupt procedure, due respect counsels avoid taking toward end. 27 facing restrictions, mandamus All Writs Act, 1651. Mandamus appropriate avenue unsuited collateral-order doctrine; representative generally needed, sometimes involve extraordinary circumstances giving rise demand relief. Moore, B. Ward, Lucas, 110.10, 136 1986); E. Cooper, Gressman, 3934 (1977 Supp.1986); cf. Douglas Oil Petrol Stops Northwest, 441 211, 232, 1667, 1679-1680, 60 156 (1979) (REHNQUIST, concurring) ("[O]ur cases hold reviewable, way gross court"); Community Broadcasting Boston, FCC, 546 1022, 1028 (CA9 1976) (petition which, class, orders, individual work irreparable harm). true, course, "only situations," Kerr 426 394, 402, 96 2119, 2123, 48 725 (1976), "the Act [should to] confe[r] independent power orders." La Buy Howes Leather 352 263, 77 309, 317, 290 (1957) (BRENNAN, dissenting). properly issue, action tends frustrate impede ultimate exercise jurisdiction provision law." Id., 264, 317. Lower "effective later seems difficult." 3934, 238. See, e.g., re EEOC, 709 392 (CA5 1983) (issuing appeal); Hamilton Morial, 644 1981) consolidate pending suits alleging unconstitutional overcrowding state prisons jails). Thus, although constitute grounds affording Through petition, imposition because, explained above, resolution former determines scope issuing latter. 29 limiting lawsuit "alternative means" extraordinarily prejudicial including concur part: "(a) Intervention Right. Upon timely anyone action: statute confers unconditional intervene; relating disposition impair his interest, applicant's "(b) Permissive Intervention. defense main law common. parties." alleged Safe Drinking Water 88 Stat. 1690, amended, 42 300j-8, Resource Conservation Recovery 2825, 6972 (1982 Supp. III), Clean added, 888, 33 1365. provides: "The States. 543, 549-550 1982); Shore Parklane Hosiery 606 354, 357 (CA2 1979); see Wheeler Home Products 582 891, 896 1977). When lodged proposed beyond government plaintiffs. 821, 824 recent congressional demonstrates plainly correct. October 1986, Superfund Amendments Authorization 1986 signed into law. Pub.L. 99-499, 100 1613. 113(c) amendments shows groups designed clean up sites. express new legislation, us. addresses order; certiorari, legally flawed our decision, "interlocutory 'on mere erroneous.' 378, 675, (citation highly restrictive appropriately definition neither nor resides 24(b) demonstrated conditional federal statute, shares common intervene," "[i]n parties" assumed "hav[e] applicant," discretion. 1389, By contrast, either protect, 24(a). 24(a) considerably restricts providing "shall intervene" (where sought) immediately. 1389. "An amended [24(a) ] responsive things proceedings." Advisory Committee Notes 24, App., 567. observes, infrequently dismissing restricting compromise reviewable 377; see, (1976) (discovery claims).

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