Legal Document

544 U.S. 280 EXXON MOBIL CORP. ET AL.v.SAUDI BASIC INDUSTRIES No. 03-1696. Supreme Court of United States. Argued February 23, 2005. Decided March 30, The Rooker-Feldman doctrine, at issue in this case, has been applied by only twice, Rooker v. Fidelity Trust Co., 263 U. S. 413, and District Columbia Appeals Feldman, 460 462. In Rooker, plaintiffs previously defeated state court filed suit a Federal alleging that the adverse state-court judgment was unconstitutional asking it be declared "null void." S., 414-415. Noting preliminarily had acted within its jurisdiction, explained if decision wrong, "that did not make void, but merely left open to reversal or modification an appropriate timely appellate proceeding." Id., 415. district courts, recognized, are empowered exercise original, appellate, jurisdictions. 416. Because Congress alone authority "to reverse modify" judgment, ibid., affirmed decree dismissing federal for lack id., 415, 417. two brought federal-court actions after Columbia's highest denied their petitions waive Rule requiring D. C. bar applicants have graduated from accredited law school. Recalling observed lacked review final judicial determination high because such "can obtained Court." 476. Concluding court's proceedings applying accreditation were "judicial nature," 479-482, ruled subject-matter 482. However, concluding also that, promulgating admission Rule, legislatively, judicially, 485-486, held 28 § 1257 addressing validity itself, so long as seek Rule's application particular 486. Since never dismiss action want jurisdiction. lower courts variously interpreted doctrine extend far beyond contours Feldman cases, overriding Congress' conferral jurisdiction concurrent with exercised superseding ordinary preclusion under 1738. subsidiaries petitioner Exxon Mobil Corporation formed joint ventures respondent Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) produce polyethylene Arabia. When dispute arose over royalties SABIC charged ventures, preemptively sued Delaware court, seeking declaratory proper. ExxonMobil then countersued Court, overcharged them. Before trial, which ultimately yielded jury verdict $400 million subsidiaries, SABIC's motion suit. On interlocutory appeal, eight months verdict, Third Circuit, on own motion, raised question whether failed ExxonMobil's claims already litigated court. Court's suit's outset, terminated when entered verdict. Held: is confined cases kind acquired name: losers complaining injuries caused judgments rendered before commenced inviting rejection those judgments. does otherwise override supplant augment circumscribed doctrines allowing stay deference actions. Pp. 291-294. (a) exhibit limited circumstances judgments, 1257, precludes exercising would adjudicate congressional grant authority. both plaintiffs, federal-question called upon overturn injurious judgment. interpreted, vests solely e. g., 476, Courts see, Verizon Md. Inc. Public Serv. Comm'n Md., 535 635, 644, n. 3. there parallel litigation, triggered simply entry See, McClellan Carland, 217 268, 282. Comity abstention may, various circumstances, permit require favor litigation. Colorado River Water Conservation Dist. States, 424 800. But neither nor supports notion properly invoked vanishes reaches same related while case remains sub judice Disposition action, once adjudication complete, governed law. Under 1738, must "give preclusive effect another State give." Parsons Steel, First Alabama Bank, 474 518, 523. Preclusion jurisdictional matter. See Fed. Civ. Proc. 8(c). may bound recognize claim-and issue-preclusive effects terminate automatically Nor stop party attempts litigate matter If plaintiff presents independent claim, even one denies legal conclusion party, determines defendant prevails principles. 291-293. (b) preclude proceeding case. repaired undo favor, appears (only weeks well any court) protect itself event lost grounds (such statute limitations) might relief venue. prevent emerge vanquish prevailed courts. Circuit misperceived narrow ground occupied Rooker-Feldman, consequently erred ordering dismissed. 293-294. 364 F. 3d 102, reversed remanded. GINSBURG, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THIRD CIRCUIT. Gregory Coleman argued cause petitioners. With him briefs Christian J. Ward, James W. Quinn, David Lender, Andrew Pollis. A. Castanias respondent. Lawrence Rosenberg, William K. Shirey II, Kenneth R. Adamo.* JUSTICE GINSBURG 1 This concerns what come known first 413 (1923), then, 60 years later, 462 (1983). Variously sometimes construed pursuant Moccio New York Office Admin., 95 195, 199-200 (CA2 1996). 2 "declared null 414. parties unsuccessful (the District's against very rejected applications. Holding suits impermissible, we emphasized modify lodged, initially 25 Judiciary Act 1789, Stat. 85, now exclusively noted, Plaintiffs Their complaints, observed, essentially invited instance unfavorable We out bounds, i. e., dismissed 3 hold today, allow 4 us, therefore Circuit's 5 * turned relief. Alleging contravention Constitution, they asked declare noted explained, Ibid. requisite authority, "strictly original." Among clarified, Accordingly, 6 Sixty decided Hickey whom school, petitioned required school approved American Bar Association. After waiver requests, States Columbia. 465-473. disagreed could maintained, granted certiorari. 474-475. 7 "Review determinations," reiterated, "crucial question," next stated, nature." Addressing question, concluded judicially legislatively. 8 petitions, determined, judicially. 479-482. As adjudication, held, among Hence, extent sought Appeals' denial waiver, complaints." dispose entire rule, said, 485-486. "Challenges constitutionality rules," elaborated, "do necessarily Thus, reasoned, addressed itself. contested 9 endeavored separate elements complaints threshold survived inspection. urged arbitrarily denying given "former policy granting waivers graduates unaccredited schools." That charge, pursued, "inextricably intertwined decisions, proceedings, deny [plaintiffs'] petitions." 486-487.1 10 other hand, maintain "claims [bar admission] rule creates irrebuttable presumption schools fit practice law, discriminates who equivalent training means, impermissibly delegates power regulate Association," case." 487. res judicata foreclosed litigation spared dismissal 487-488. 11 few decisions mentioned done passing explain why dictate dismissal. (2002) (Rooker-Feldman apply agency action); Johnson De Grandy, 512 997, 1005-1006 (1994) bars losing "from substance based party's claim violates loser's rights," no non-party suit.); Howlett Rose, 496 356, 369-370, 16 (1990) (citing "the cannot entertain original violated Constitution giving statute"); ASARCO Kadish, 490 605, 622-623 (1989) (If, instead supreme petitioners attempt obtain direct "represent partial inroad Rooker-Feldman's construction 1257.");2 Pennzoil Co. Texaco Inc., 481 1, 6-10 (1987) (abstaining Younger Harris, 401 37 (1971), rather than challenged Texas procedures enforcing judgments); 18 (SCALIA, concurring) (The "so-called doctrine" deprive decide Texaco's challenge procedures); 21 (Brennan, concurring judgment) (Rooker do apply; "right meaningful opportunity review, merits suit."). cf. 25-26 (Marshall, appeal). Martin Wilks, 755, 783-784, (STEVENS, dissenting) (it anomalous sit equal, greater, Feldman)).3 II 12 1980, (then companies Corp.) 194 Supp. 2d 378, 384 (NJ 2002). Two decades began sublicenses manufacturing method. 103 (CA3 2004). 13 Superior July 2000 royalty charges proper venture agreements. 2d, 385-386. About Jersey, sublicenses. 385; App. Jersey 1330, authorizes foreign states. 401.4 14 January 2002, answered complaint, asserting counterclaims made Jersey. 3d, 103. went trial 2003, returned subsidiaries. Ibid.; Yanbu Petrochemical 866 (Del. 2005). appealed 15 moved suit, alleging, inter alia, immunity Foreign Sovereign Immunities 1976, 1602 et seq. (2000 ed. II). dismiss. 401-407, 416-417. took heard argument December 103-104.5 Appeals, "subject fails court." 104.6 possession outset 104-105. complaint relevant consideration, "is precedes claims." 105. prior worried, "we encouraging `insurance policies' pending." Once "preclude[d] [the] 104 (internal quotation marks omitted). 17 ExxonMobil, point prevailing Delaware, Nevertheless, hypothesized won appeal endeavoring "invalidate" situation," concluded, "contemplated `inextricably intertwined' bar." 106. certiorari, 543 924 (2004), resolve conflict scope doctrine. Circuit.7 III 19 1330 (suits states), 1331 (federal question), 1332 (diversity). ended, injury 476; Atlantic Coast Line Locomotive Engineers, 398 281, 286 (1970); 416, ("The recognizes authorize reserved see 1257(a).").8 20 repeatedly pendency concerning having jurisdiction." 282 (1910); accord Doran Salem Inn, 422 922, 928 (1975); 295. 800 (1976); (1971); Burford Sun Oil 319 315 (1943); Railroad Tex. Pullman 312 (1941). Full Faith Credit Act, originally enacted 1790, ch. 11, 122, requires 523 (1986); Matsushita Elec. Industrial Epstein, 516 367, 373 (1996); Marrese Academy Orthopaedic Surgeons, 470 373, 380-381 (1985). Preclusion, course, 8(c) (listing affirmative defense). claim- 22 "present[s] some albeit reached he ..., principles preclusion." GASH Assocs. Rosemont, 995 726, 728 (CA7 1993); Noel Hall, 341 1148, 1163-1164 (CA9 2003). 23 surely "paradigm situation (quoting E. B. Verniero, 119 1077, 1090-1091 1997)). plainly favor. Rather, Tr. Oral Arg. 46; 35-36.9 24 For reasons reversed, remanded further consistent opinion. 26 It ordered. Notes: Nancie G. Marzulla Roger brief Defenders Property Rights al. amici curiae. Earlier used expression. footnote, constitutional attacking passed directly claims, attack intertwined" judgmentFeldman, 482, 16. Respondent urges thatASARCO 605 (1989), expanded include raise Brief 20-22. so. ASARCO, (defendants below action) Arizona invalidation governing mineral leases lands. 610. suggestion should pursued new Such "in essence, courts" 1257. 622-623. complained hypothetical leases, statute. therefore, shares characteristics loser invites Between 1923, decidedRooker, 1983, cited opinion, Fishgold Sullivan Drydock & Repair Corp., 328 275, 283 (1946), reference finality 415 (1923) ("Unless until ... modified, [the judgment] effective conclusive adjudication."). Rooker's appearance Reports 1983 occurs Justice White's dissent certiorari Florida Bd. Dentistry Mack, 960, 961 (1971). Arabian corporation, 70% owned Government 30% private investors. At request, stayed consideration await resolution Delaware. 9-10. November shortly lifted set argumentId., 11-13. One day argument, directed prepared address theRooker-Feldman deprived 17. contends moot trial-court ExxonMobil,Saudi (2005), reargument en banc, 493, 2003 (Feb. 22, 10-13. continues oppose however, represented will petition writ 22-23. controversy live. Congress, minded, explicitly empower oversee certain so, most notably, authorizing habeas prisoners' petitions. 2254(a) criticized pursuing "insurance policy" result 105-106 There nothing inappropriate, about filing protective action. See,e. Rhines Weber, ante, 277-278 (permitting abeyance exhausts court); Union Pacific Department Revenue Ore., 920 581, 584, 1990) (noting railroad company expiration limitations); Virgin Islands Neadle, 861 1054, 1055 (MD Fla. 1994) (staying themselves" personal defendants Islands); England Louisiana Medical Examiners, 375 411, 421 (1964) reserve resolves questions law).

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