Legal Document

351 U.S. 427 76 Supreme Court Reporter 895 100 L.Ed. 1297 SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO., a New York Corporation, Petitioner,v.Bruce Atlantic MACKEY, Individually, and Time Saver Tools, Inc., an Illinois Corporation. Number 34. Argued Feb. 28, 1956. Decided June 11, Mr.Walter Judge Rockler, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Mr. Edward I. Rothschild, Chicago, Ill., respondent. Justice BURTON delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This action, presenting multiple claims relief, was brought by Mackey another in United States District Northern Illinois, Eastern Division, 1953. The court expressly directed that judgment be entered defendant, Sears, Roebuck & Co., on two, but less than all, presented. It also determined there no just reason delay making entry. After Mackey's notice appeal from to Appeals Seventh Circuit, company moved dismiss lack appellate jurisdiction. upheld its jurisdiction denied motion, relying upon 28 Code KF62 § 1291, Annotated KF65 U5 1291 Rule 54(b) Federal Rules Civil Procedure, as amended 1946, 218 Reporter, 2nd Series 295. Because importance issue determining because conflict judicial views subject,1 we granted certiorari. 348 970, 75 535, 99 755. For reasons hereafter stated, sustain 2 Although are here concerned with present appealability not merits, must examine stated complaint so consider adequately appealability. 3 contains six counts. We disregard fifth it has been abandoned sixth duplicates others. Counts N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions II material have dismissed without leave amend. claim contained Count III IV at answers filed before us is striking out disturbing IV, question presented whether such presently appealable when Court, pursuant 54(b), made 'an express determination delay' given direction entry judgment.' 4 In I, Mackey, citizen corporation owned original plaintiffs respondents here. doing business defendant petitioner charges Sears conduct violating Sherman Antitrust Act manner prejudicial three commercial ventures causing him $190,000 damages, which he seeks $570,000 treble damages. His first charge unlawful destruction since 1949, market nursely lamps manufactured General Metalcraft Company, wholly Mackey. this caused loss $150,000. second interference 1952, contract sell, commission, certain tools other products Vascoloy-Ramet lose $15,000. third new type carbide-tipped lathe bit articles resulting $25,000. combines allegations used great size monopolize commerce restrain competition these fields. He asks damages equitable relief. 5 II, federal virtue diversity citizenship. incorporates transactions $250,000 Sears' wilful Metalcraft, plus $50,000 obligations guaranteed him. 6 III, $75,000 common-law proceeding against unlawfully inducing breach his Vascoloy commission contract. 7 $200,000 destroying Saver's unfair patent infringement. 8 entertain Court's depends provides 'The courts appeals shall all final decisions district * *.' (Emphasis supplied.) 9 If had only doubt count thus dismissing, entirety, would both decision within meaning 1291. Similarly, if four under controversy arises solely because, left unadjudicated those IV.2 10 Before adoption Procedure 1939, situation generally regarded leaving attempted appeal. thought that, although respective obviously whole case, authority treating anything case unit purposes appeal.3 construction developed common law dealt litigation complicated much today.4 11 With came increased opportunity liberal joinder actions. This, turn, demonstrated need relaxing restrictions what should treated Sound administration did require relaxation standard finality disposition individual adjudicated purpose their did, however, demonstrate least actions, some decisions, claims, waiting claims. Largely meet need, promulgated form through joint action Congress Court.5 read follows: 12 '(b) Judgment Various Stages. When more one relief any stage, issues particular counterclaims arising transaction or occurrence subject matter claim, may enter disposing claim. terminate respect disposed proceed remaining separate entered, order stay enforcement until entering subsequent judgments prescribe conditions necessary secure benefit thereof party whose favor entered.' 13 gave limited interpreted requirement 'final decision' each basis appeal, authorizing former general practice finally decided could entertained them.6 Thus, 54(d) modified single theory unimpaired statutory concept prescribed However, soon found inherently difficult determine automatic unity several were sufficiently separable others qualify unitary principle result jurisdictional time taking instances expired earlier foreseen losing party. became prudent take immediate cases doubtful volume proceedings undesirably increased. 14 overcome difficulty, amended, effect 1948.7 Since then 15 Upon Multiple Claims. counterclaim, cross-claim, third-party direct judgment. absence direction, decision, however designated, adjudicates revision adjudicating claims.' 16 form, does relax required render appealable, provide practical means permitting taken rendered case. rule apply nor decided. actions 'one all' otherwise ready 17 To flexibility, 'dispatcher.' permitted determine, instance, appropriate arrangement already lent welcome certainty procedure. Its 'negative effect' met uniform approval. referred rule's specific become make A adversely affected knows will run certification made.8 18 instant certification, nevertheless grounds motion ordinarily might (1) 'claim relief', (2) sense ultimate course (3) abused discretion certifying order. 19 us, relief' dismissal constitutes Also, cannot well argued inseparable from, closely related to, exists delay. They certainly can independently other. 20 Petitioner contends attempts unauthorized extension disagree. readily independent satisfy requirements even form. so, dismissing them rule. nowhere contended today rule, provided makes certification. 21 While possible hold room argument still pending Court.9 Thus affords excellent illustration value designed difficulty. Assuming enabled recognize cannot, exercise discretion, treat 'final' But may, interest sound administration, release more, timing is, good reason, vested primarily most likely familiar justifiable equally abuse remains reviewable Appeals. 22 said decisions. validity longer questioned. fact, applied Reeves versus Beardall, 316 283, 62 1085, 86 1478, being 23 comparable rulemaking supersede statute controlling scrupulously recognizes basic merely administers instead decision. By negative effect, operates restrict valid number 24 reach like conclusion where acts affirmatively assists properly adapts better meets current needs administration. Just resulted they released,10 now supervision. preserves historic policy piecemeal many effectively rule.11 25 Accordingly, sustained,12 denying affirmed. 26 Affirmed. 27 FRANKFURTER, whom HARLAN joins, concurring 34 dissenting 76. two litigations significance parties. That relative insignificance compared directions judges draw opinions. me little kindship pronouncements Delphic oracle. 29 Cold Metal declares surely section remain opinions written. apparently transforming cause. congressional having force statute, qualified say so. rejects reasoning over century expressing hostility toward appeals. 54(b)'s certificate judge alone content finality. either. 30 indicate core doctrine litigation—that part of, remainder appealed completion entire litigation—is standard, exclusive deciding not, standards final. leaves problem instance courts, review discretion. court's ruling upset scope necessarily narrow. Here, regard problem, come newly continues based viz., defines constricts Therefore compliance command would, suppose, cast duty broader implied usual flavor phrase 'abuse discretion.' 31 me, propositions emerging analysis relationship clear. 32 1. intact 54(b). due embodied view Advisory Committee Note 54(b): 33 always prohibited disposal except special covered statute. originally adopted wide created 'civil action' avoid injustice distinctly await adjudication overturn settled above. 'After extended consideration, (the Committee) concluded retention older desirable, needed discretionary power afford remedy infrequent harsh simple, definite, workable afforded re-establishes ancient clarity precision. *' 35 Report Proposed Amendments 70—72. 36 2. technical game. expresses deeply rooted wisely sanctioned governing courts. See Cobbledick States, 309 323, 60 540, 84 783; Radio Station WOW Johnson, 326 120, 123—127, 65 1475, 1477—1480, 89 2092. characteristic feature system—its administering justice—is luminously manifest considering evils where, reviews allowed. 37 3. compendiously therefore, times, loosely phrased implying litigation, nature, completed allowed, see Collins Miller, 252 364, 370, 40 347, 349, 64 616, underlying rationale respected susceptible mechanical way putting it. What called exceptions inroads principle. core, premature, intermediate 38 failure do preclude effective irreparable injury. Forgay Conrad, How. 201, 404; Cohen Beneficial Industrial Loan Corp., 337 541, 545—547, 69 1221, 1225 1226, 93 1528; Swift Packers Compania Columbiana Del Caribe, 339 684, 688—689, 70 861, 864—865, 94 1206. termination portion rest outcome cause unfairness. Williams Morgan, 111 699, 638, 646, 559; River Rouge Imp. 269 411, 413—414, 46 144, 145, 339. 39 4. expansion allowable range inevitably enlarged occasions severing aspect traditional test decision.' On prior cases, held departure permit set facts based. 1478. Committee, quoted supra, demonstrates accordance premature allowing 'judgment claim.' introduce, control preventing attempting severable unless certified phase litigation. provision kind difficulty encountered Dickinson Petroleum Conversion 338 507, 322, 299, ascertaining fact finished casually disregards long history bearing rejecting separate-and-independent says 'does impair embraced 1291.' words, pays lip-service section's function brake future greatly impaired. Encouragement abundantly parties seek 41 principles heretofore enunciated furnish guides parts occurrences involved involve IV. involves 1292(1) interlocutory injunction. Process Engineering Foundry 445, 904, compulsory, substantial main hence appealable. 42 5. Of course, appears recognize, crucial court. thing quite satisfied give confer outside limits state supreme beyond bounds 1257, 1257. deemed valuable guide. flexibility strange name 43 6. summary, then, rightly states, hold, Section construed be. unifying observance system (with few strictly defined relevant, 1292, 1292) how phases proceeding, separated organic whole—the 1291—is committed guidance individualized notions about hundred fifty judges, themselves accountable discordant eleven essentially Allowing leeway anarchy. directly impliedly sustaining Rieser Baltimore O.R. Cir., 224 198, cited page 203, note 7; Artists Corporation Masterpiece Productions, 221 213; Town Clarksville, Va. 198 238; Boston Medical Supply Lea Febiger, 195 853; Bendix Aviation Glass, 267, American Law Reports, 356; Lopinsky Hertz Drive-Ur-Self Systems, 194 422, Clark, pages 424—430; Pabellon Grace Line, 191 169. Moore's Practice (2d ed. 1953) 220—230, Note, Yale L.J. 263. Contra: Frank, 205—208; Hastie, 277—282; concuring apges 176—181; Flegenheimer Mills, 237. also, Gold Seal Weeks, U.S.App.D.C. 249, 209 802. misconstrued supra. considered hereafter. At law, writ error lie failed adjudicate every asserted controversy. Holcombe McKusick, 552, 1020; Girault, 22, 587; Metcalfe's Case, Co.Rep. 38a, 77 Eng.Rep. 1193. followed involving plaintiff some, 616; Sheppy Stevens, 200 KF105 F3 946. alleged liability joint, terminated defendants. Hohorst Hamburg-American Packet 148 262, 590, 443. if, recognized distinct others, judgment, circumstances, Republic China Express 190 334. Courts Appeals, pertinent here, largely restricted §§ 1651, 1651. promulgate derived Enabling Act, appearing 2072, 2072. authorizes rules 'the forms process, writs, pleadings, motions, procedure civil actions.' 'shall abridge, enlarge modify substantive right And, Article 8, Constitution, repeatedly define lower Silbach Wilson 312 1, 655, 61 85 479; Contractors, Bodinger, 176, 233; Fed.Rules Civ.Proc., 82. 'Such reported Chief after beginning regular session later day May, expiration ninety days reported.' 174. '* situations arose amounted trial remained similar identical of. interim know rights, accordingly took partial question.' 70—71 (June 1946). favorable comment 511—512, 299. 1—7, note, while rely on, refer Act. predicated rights. depend. clearly Metro-Goldwyn Pictures 106 83, 783. argues 1292(1), 1292(1). our contention.

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