Legal Document

444 U.S. 460 100 Supreme Court Reporter 647 62 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 614 HATZLACHH SUPPLY CO., INC., Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. Number 78-1175. Jan. 21, 1980. Nathan Lewin, Washington, D. C., for petitioner. Kent L. Jones, respondent, pro hac vice, by special leave of Court. PER CURIAM. 1 We granted certiorari in this case to consider whether the may be held liable breach an implied contract bailment when goods are lost while Customs Service (USCS) following their seizure customs violations. 441 942, 99 2158, 60 1043 (1979). The Claims Government's motion summary judgment, finding that petitioner had failed state a claim upon which court could grant relief. 579 Federal Reporter, 2nd 617, 217 Ct.Cl. 423 (1978). vacate Claims' judgment and remand further proceedings. 2 Petitioner imported camera supplies other items Code KF65 U8 seized arrival port declared forfeited On petitioner's appropriate procedure relief, agreed return materials payment $40,000 penalty. When shipment was returned petitioner, however, merchandise valued excess $165,000 missing. brought suit under Tucker Act, 28 KF62 § 1491, value missing merchandise,1 alleging contact bailment.2 3 initially conceded "the statutes cited plaintiff, along with action agreeing fine Hatzlachh, make strong existence implied-in-fact properly preserve redeliver all Hatzlachh." F.2d, at 620, Ct.Cl., 428. noted, 2680(c) excepts from tort liability Government Tort Act any "arising respect . detention or officer customs." Because its view provision would bar loss occurred case, thought it "would certainly trespass on congressional prerogatives now hold that, seizing subject forfeiture certain merchandise, assented to, bound by, whole." 621, 430. accordingly declined find contract, remarking not "judicially allow back door was, rather clearly explicitly, legislatively barred front." Ibid. 4 cannot agree is such major obstacle awarding against contract. Section 2680, entitled "Exceptions," declares "[t]he provisions chapter shall apply to" kinds claims, then described. Among excepted claims those specified 2680(c)—claims merchandise" officer. section, although excluding statutory waiver immunity liability,3 does limit otherwise affect waivers contained as invests jurisdiction render "upon founded express States." 5 Neither legislative history support 2680(c), first passed 1946 part intended declare contracts officers would, might, within Act. contrary, appears exempting described Congress did intend disturb existing remedies. H.R.Rep.No.2245, 77th Cong., Sess., 10 (1942); S.Rep.No.1196, 7 H.R.Rep.No.1287, 79th 1st 6 (1945); S.Rep.No.1400, 33 (1946); Against States: Hearings S. 2690 before Subcommittee Senate Committee Judiciary, 76th 3d 38 (1940); Claims: H.R. 5373 6463 House 28, 44 (1942).4 Nothing these sources, nor anything else called our attention, indicates withdrew extent remedies contracts. Others have read statute effect. See Jayson, Personal Injury: Handling 256 (1979); Gellhorn & Schenck, Actions Government, 47 Colum.L.Rev. 722, 729-730 (1947); Gottlieb, Act—A Statutory Interpretation, 35 Geo.Law Judge 1, 45 Comment, 42 Ill.L.Rev. 344, 360 Note, 56 Yale L.J. 534, 547-548 (1947). relied Stencel Aero Engineering Corporation versus States, 431 666, 97 2054, 52 655 (1977), where indemnify third party damages paid member Armed Forces who injured military training. Recognizing Veterans' Benefits provided compensation servicemen, we understood sole remedy service-connected injuries construe permit third-party indemnity suits effect expose greater than contemplated scheme. In Stencel, remedy, exclusive. Here, denies claims; fail see how holding exclusive negates supports conclusion if bars neither there contractual remedy. absence has been contracts, even cases also having elements tort. Keifer RFC, 306 381, 59 516, 83 L.Ed. 784 (1939), argued because corporation sued negligence, bailment. rejected argument, immunity, limited "suits implied, sounding tort." Aleutco 244 674, 679 (CA3 1957); New England Helicopter Service, Incorporated 132 F.Supp. 938, 939 (RI 1955).5 8 defend reasoning forecloses Tr. Oral Arg. 37-38. It ground concededly urged should individual 2006 provides judgments negligent goods, made probable cause, States. private recourse, urged, counsels recognizing argument unpersuasive. There no inconsistency between officers. Cf. Keifer, supra. Without more, lack one relevant determining pursuant sovereign 9 rested heavily mistaken legal significance address question without regard proceedings consistent opinion.6 So ordered. 11 Mr. Justice BLACKMUN, dissenting. 12 N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions do disagree principles pronounced per curiam opinion ante, 462; remedies, control 464-465; governmental 465; officers, 466. But dissent Court's vacating remanding 13 am persuaded found record believe is, be, useless exercise leading inevitable result. 14 clear extends fact but law. Minnesota Mutual Investment Co., 271 212, 217-218, 46 501, 502, 70 911 (1926); Merritt 267 338, 341, 278, 279, 69 643 (1925). them legality seizure. One Lot Emerald Cut Stones 409 232, 234, 93 489, 491, 34 438 (1972). Indeed, admitted declaration improper. 618, 423, 425 (1978); App. 11a, 18a. action, thus, assertion ownership. uninterrupted title recognized parties, constitute basis goods. Baltimore Ohio R. company 261 592, 597, 43 425, 426, 67 816 (1923). If upheld, duty fact, law, so imposed statute. 2465. Any recovery failure fulfill tort, perhaps equity, 15 therefore seems me inevitably follow over Claims. supra; Russell 210 596, 609, 537 474, 482 (1976), cert. denied, 429 1073, 811, 50 791 (1977). lies elsewhere. Accordingly, affirm Claims, albeit different advanced court. sought damages, longer issue, "face good will." As second cause alleged capricious arbitrary seizure, "unreasonable detainer" property, "deprivation due process." challenge dismissal action. proceed text assumption, deciding, correct arising hence exception carved out 2680(c). disputes holding, claiming section wrongful detentions deal losses courts divided interpretation section. A-Mark, Secret 593 849 (CA9 1978), Alliance Assurance 252 529 (CA2 1958), said, detained officers; whereas (1) 1972 Wood, 19 Foot Custom Boat, FL8443AY, 501 1327 (CA5 1974), Schonfeld Akra Tenaronn, 363 1220 (SC 1973), except loses need resolve conflict. interpretation, itself present barrier either liability. Nor preclusive pre-existing least absent some reasonably evidence foreclose circumstances obtaining here. considered 1940, Alexander Holtzoff, Special Assistant Attorney General, testified Judiciary considering bill. Holtzoff various exemptions, them, miscarriage postal matter intentional torts, were included they related activities which, policy matter, free claims. Other assessment collection taxes duties, admiralty maritime laws machinery "[t]here purpose interfering machinery." 38-39 (1940). avoid duplication; indication any, withdrawn. only jurisdictional statute, course, create substantive right money damages. Testan, 424 392, 398, 96 948, 953, 114 (1976). enforceable must arise Moreover, actual fact; reach Alabama 282 507, 51 225, 226, 75 492 (1931); Goodyear Tire Rubber 276 287, 292-293, 48 306, 307, 71 843 (1928); 217, Hill 149 593, 598, 1011, 1013, 37 862 (1893). indicate view, way other, case.

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