Legal Document

498 U.S. 89 111 S.Ct. 453 112 L.Ed.2d 435 Shirley W. IRWIN, Petitionerv.DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS et al. No. 89-5867. Argued Oct. 1, 1990. Decided Dec. 3, Rehearing Denied Jan. 22, 1991. See 805, 805. Syllabus Petitioner Irwin filed a complaint with the Veterans' Administration (VA), claiming that he had been unlawfully fired by VA on basis of his race and disability. The dismissed complaint, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) affirmed decision March 19, 1987, mailing copies right-to-sue letter to both attorney. received April 7. His attorney actual notice 10, having out country when it was delivered office 23. Forty-four days after attorney's 29 copy, an action in District Court, alleging, inter alia, violation Title VII Civil Rights Act 1964. court case for lack jurisdiction ground not within time specified 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-16(c), which provides against Federal Government must be 30 "of receipt final taken" EEOC. Court Appeals affirmed, holding is "received" EEOC delivers its claimant or offices, whichever comes first, 30-day span operates as absolute jurisdictional limit. Held: 1. Irwin's untimely. Section 2000e-16(c) requires EEOC's but does specify rather than representative. Congress may depart from common established practice providing notification through counsel only if so expressly. argument there material difference between purposes rejected. Lower courts have consistently held acknowledged representative qualifies client, practical effect contrary rule would create uncertainty encouraging factual disputes about received. P. 92-93. 2. Statutes limitations actions are subject rebuttable presumption equitable tolling applicable suits private defendants. Applying same amounts little, any, broadening congressional waiver sovereign immunity. Pp. 93-96. 3. failure file excused under principles. typically extended relief sparingly litigants, allowing where has actively pursued judicial remedies filing defective pleading induced tricked adversary's misconduct into deadline pass. Such principles do extend claim untimely should because date personally notice, at best garden variety excusable neglect. 96. 874 F.2d 1092 (CA5 1989), affirmed. REHNQUIST, C.J., opinion BLACKMUN, O'CONNOR, SCALIA, KENNEDY, JJ., joined. WHITE, J., concurring part judgment, MARSHALL, joined, post, p. ----. STEVENS, dissenting part, SOUTER, took no consideration case. Jon R. Ker, Hewitt, Tex., petitioner. John G. Roberts, Jr., Washington, D.C., respondents. Chief Justice REHNQUIST Court. 1 In 1986, petitioner, Irwin, job subsequently redesignated respondent Department Veterans Affairs. contacted equal employment opportunity counselor VA, alleging discharged him physical dated 1987. letter, sent attorney, expressly informed them right civil 1964, 78 Stat. 253, amended, 2000e seq., notice. According did receive until 7, arrived 23, while country. learn return 2 United States Western Texas May 6, 44 office, claimed letter. alleged discriminated race, age, handicap, seq.; 81 602, 621 87 390, 791 First Fifth Amendments. Respondent moved dismiss, asserting, lacked 2000e-16(c). granted motion. 3 Circuit (1989). period begins run offices formally designated claimant, even himself actually later. Id., 1094. further determined allotted 2000e16(c) 1095. Accordingly, reasoned could excuse late federal over claim. Ibid. That direct conflict decisions four other Courts Appeals.1 4 We certiorari determine resolve whether late-filed claims jurisdictionally barred. 493 1069, 110 1109, 107 1017 (1990). 5 discrimination "[w]ithin thirty claimant's first. argues clock begin sue. 6 conclude As observed, "received"; There question petitioner appeared proceeding. Under our system litigation, "each party deemed bound acts lawyer-agent considered 'notice all facts, can charged upon attorney.' " Link v. Wabash Co., 370 626, 634, 82 1386, 1390, 8 734 (1962) (quoting Smith Ayer, 101 320, 326, 25 L.Ed. 955 (1880)). endorsed this sensible analogous provisions Rules Procedure, provide "[w]henever these rules service required permitted made represented shall unless ordered court." Fed.Rule Civ.Proc. 5(b). To read term "receipt" mean "actual claimant" render meaningless exercise. If intends counsel, Decker Anheuser-Busch, 632 1221, 1224 1980). 7 also reject contention lower client. Ringgold National Maintenance Corp., 796 769 1986); Josiah-Faeduwor Communications Satellite 251 U.S.App.D.C. 346, 785 344 (1986). Rule Procedure 5(b) permits litigant delivery papers litigant's office. encourage received, thereby area law certainty much desired. fact strictly comply 2000e-16(c)'s not, however, end inquiry. contends failed timely file, error rejected contained jurisdictional, therefore authority consider claims. applies thus condition Congress' Since waivers immunity traditionally construed narrowly, strict compliance necessary predicate suit. 9 correctly observes construed. Library Shaw, 478 310, 106 2957, 92 250 But previous cases dealing limits entirely consistent, though distinguished their facts. Locke, 471 84, 94, n. 105 1785, 1792, 85 64 (1985), we stated were leaving open general tolling, waiver, estoppel apply involves statutory deadline. But, WHITE points concurrence, 99, nearly years earlier Soriano States, 352 270, 77 269, 306 (1957), petitioner's barred, saying "Congress entitled assume limitation prescribed meant just more." U.S., 276, S.Ct., 273. More recently, Bowen City New York, 476 467, 479, 2022, 2029, 90 462 (1986), explained "we careful 'assume narrow intended,' construe 'unduly restrictively' (citation omitted). 10 relevant part: 11 "Within taken . employee applicant employment, aggrieved disposition take provided section 2000e-5 title. ." 12 phraseology particular limit probably very similar some Government, them. present statute, said action. Soriano, supra, 271, "[E]very barred petition six years. An undoubtedly latter language more stringent former, persuaded enough manifest different intent respect availability tolling. Thus continuing effort decide each ad hoc basis, appear done past, disadvantage unpredictability without corresponding advantage greater fidelity Congress. think affords us adopt govern applicability Government. 13 Time requirements lawsuits litigants customarily "equitable tolling," Hallstrom Tillamook County, 20, 27, 304, 309, 237 Indeed, employers tolling.2 14 A 'cannot implied unequivocally expressed.' Mitchell, 445 535, 538, 100 1349, 1351, 63 607 (1980) King, 395 4, 1501, 1502, 23 52 (1969)). Once such making way suits, waiver. principle likely realistic assessment legislative well practically useful interpretation. hold defendants States. Congress, course, otherwise wishes so. 15 examination applied doctrine little help. sparingly. allowed situations during period,3 complainant pass.4 generally less forgiving receiving filings exercise due diligence preserving legal rights. Baldwin County Welcome Center Brown, 466 147, 151, 104 1723, 1725, 80 196 (1984). Because imposed suit involve immunity, evident favorable employed litigants. 16 urges manner lawyer absent thereafter day described above what 17 judgment accordingly 18 Affirmed. SOUTER 19 whom MARSHALL joins, judgment. 20 Although I agree either join portion see ante, 21 recognizes, deadlines one case, conditions Government's See, e.g., Mottaz, 834, 841, 2224, 2229, 841 (1986); Kubrick, 444 111, 117-118, 352, 356-357, 62 259 (1979). such, they 'strictly observed exceptions thereto implied.' Lehman Nakshian, 156, 161, 2698, 2701, 69 548 (1981) 273, (1957)); Block North Dakota ex rel. Bd. Univ. School Lands, 461 287, 103 1811, 1819, 75 840 (1983). my view, "strictly observe" terms statute issue 22 holds like statutes periods will now presumptively Ante, 95-96. needlessly reverses least Court's prior tension several others. existence consent sued Our instructive point. There, liable interest. reaching conclusion, reaffirmed longstanding despite sued, interest separate explicit effect. 316-317, 2962. "the person" "costs," including "reasonable fee," favor enlarge 'beyond requires.' 318, 2963 (citations It seems me exactly Shaw proscribes—it enlarged beyond requires.1 24 Not inconsistent traditional approach involving directly overrules (1957). war tolled Claims. arguing plaintiff relied causes 275, persuaded, stating "[t]hat involved citizens, sovereign." explained: "To permit application urged impose every time-limit-consent passed Strangely enough, war. more. With mind, specific legislation seen fit toll And long decided consents implied." 275-276, 273 (footnote 26 here "was [in ] 27 deviates believes concerning "have consistent." 456.2 Even belief founded, stare decisis demands attempt reconcile hastily overrule them.3 reveal cited inconsistency, irreconcilable discussed above. Bowen, because, among things, there, set forth 405(g), 405(g) "within sixty Secretary allow." 472, 2026, (emphasis added). noted provision Health Human Services expressed "clear intention allow cases." 480, 2030. Moreover, regulations promulgated governing extensions based concerns fairness claimants, "support[ing] tolling." 12, 2030, 12. unlike any intention" articulated supra. 28 concur believe available defense requirement, reach supported circumstances part. While conclusion establish began lawyer, himself, 31 correct litigation commenced. overlooks usually commenced process adverse himself. require opposing litigant. 4(d). This precedent commencement formal litigation. intended summons served party, 32 reading 'receipt' 'actual claimant' exercise." 93. By logic, "receipt," does, "receipt representative" renders "a exercise" notifying personally, codified regulations, CFR 1613.234(a)(1990). Actually, makes sense regardless ticking clock. Dual ensures persons concerned progress apprised important developments. Cf. ibid. (also requiring employing agency). However, before necessarily represent ensuing suit; indeed, administrative proceedings need 1613.214(b). Notice logical trigger countdown. construction light requirement's function scheme, consistent admonitions VII, remedial those designed protect. Zipes Trans World Airlines, Inc., 455 385, 397-398, 102 1127, 1134-1135, 71 234 (1982); Love Pullman 404 522, 527, 616, 619, 679 (1972). 33 respectfully dissent instead reverse remand resolution disputed Martinez Orr, 738 1107 (CA10 1984); Milam Postal Service, 674 860 (CA11 1982); Saltz Lehman, 217 354, 672 207 Boddy Dean, 821 350 (CA6 1987). 394, 1133, Crown, Cork & Seal Co. Parker, 345, 349, 2392, 2395, 76 628 Burnett York Central 380 424, 1050, 941 (1965) (plaintiff wrong court); Herb Pitcairn, 325 77, 65 954, 1483 (1945) (same); American Pipe Construction Utah, 414 94 756, 38 713 (1974) (plaintiff's class individual purported members). Glus Brooklyn Eastern Dist. Terminal, 359 231, 79 760, 770 (1959) (adversary's misrepresentation caused let lapse); Holmberg Armbrecht, 327 392, 66 582, 743 (1946) (same). recognize importance ignores Brown GSA, 425 820, 96 1961, 48 402 (1976). employees pre-empt employment. reached Johnson Railway Express Agency, 421 454, 95 1716, 295 (1975), remedies. found "inapposite" "there problems context case." 833, 1968. asserts "is intent." 95. unclear, why likelihood, opposite, true. here, example, enacted 1972 was, unlikely mind departure rule. Stare fundamental law," Welch Dept. Highways Public Transportation, 483 468, 494, 2941, 97 389 (1987), promotes stability protects expectations. Vasquez Hillery, 474 254, 265-266, 617, 88 598 always guiding principle, "special force" interpretation position chooses. Patterson McLean Credit Union, 491 164, 172-173, 109 2363, 2370-2371, 132

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