Legal Document

424 U.S. 737 96 Supreme Court Reporter 1202 47 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 435 LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY, Petitioner,v.Sandra WETZEL et al. Number 74-1245. Argued Jan. 19, 1976. Decided March 23, Syllabus Respondents filed a complaint alleging that petitioner's employee insurance benefits and maternity leave regulations discriminated against its women employees in violation of Title VII the Civil Rights Act 1964, seeking injunctive relief, damages, costs, attorneys' fees. After ruling respondents' favor on their motion for partial summary judgment issue liability under Act, District Court, upon denying reconsideration, issued an amended order stating relief would be withheld because petitioner had appeal asked stay any injunction, directing that, pursuant to Fed.Rule Civ.Proc. 54(b), final entered respondents, there being no just reason delay. The Appeals, holding it jurisdiction 28 Code KF62 § 1291, affirmed merits. Held: 1. Court's was not appealable as decision 1291. Pp. 742-744. (a) Even assuming declaratory liability, nevertheless left unresolved did finally dispose prayers relief. Pacific KF135 P2 742. (b) become 1291 merely made recital required by Rule since applies only multiple-claim actions which one or more but less than all claims have been decided are found otherwise ready appeal, does apply single-claim action such this where advanced single legal theory applied set facts. (c) order, apart from reference constitutes grant limited is terms interlocutory, and, damages other remain resolved, cannot considered "final" within meaning 744. 2. Nor 1292's provisions interlocutory appeals. 744-745. if insofar failed include requested could refusing injunction 1292(a)(1), thus allowed then obtain review denial sought Petitioner avail itself jurisdiction. certified immediate 1292(b) involving controlling question law substantial ground difference opinion, appear Appeals permission 10 days 1292(b); moreover, can assurance requirements met exercised discretion entertain appeal. 745. 3 Cir., 511 Federal Reporter, 2nd 199, vacated remanded. Kalvin M. Grove, Chicago, Ill., petitioner. Howard Atlantic Specter, Pittsburgh, Pa., respondents. Mr. Justice REHNQUIST delivered opinion Court. 1 Western Pennsylvania they asserted 78 Statutes-at-Large 253, Equal Employment Opportunity 1972, 42 2000e Et seq. (1970 ed. Supp. IV). ruled respondents appealed Third Circuit. That court held proceeded affirm merits We 2 [Amicus Curiae Information page 739 intentionally omitted] granted certiorari, 421 987, 95 1989, 44 476 (1975), heard argument Though neither party has questioned we obligated do so our own thereto exists. Mansfield, Coldwater & Lake Michigan R. company versus Swan, 111 379, 4 510, L.Ed. 462 (1884). Because conclude vacate appeals with instructions dismiss Respondents' complaint, after facts deemed pertinent claim, prayed embodying following relief: "(a) requiring defendant establish non-discriminatory hiring, payment, opportunity, promotional plans programs; 5 "(b) enjoining continuance illegal acts practices alleged herein; 6 "(c) pay over plaintiffs members class sustained defendant's practices, including adjusted backpay, interest, additional equal amount liquidated exemplary damages; 7 "(d) costs suit reasonable fee, interest; 8 "(e) further deems appropriate." App. 19. 9 extensive discovery, moved liability. 56(c). January 9, 1974, 372 F.Supp. 1146, finding issues material fact dispute, effect pregnancy-related policies violated 1964. It also Liberty Mutual's hiring promotion VII.1 thereafter reconsideration denied Its February 20, at 1163, contains concluding language: "In Order stated enjoin VII. Plaintiffs were invited submit form Defendant Notice Appeal order. Under these circumstances will withhold issuance amend previously Fed.R.Civ.P. follows: 11 "And now 20th day February, directed Defendant's policy female return work three months delivery child terminated 1964; disability income protection plan disabilities related pregnancies childbirth (Sic ) 1964 expressly Judgment Plaintiffs' Complaint; delay." 1164. 12 obvious although having received favorable them, none portion forth above. They get one; awarded any; fees, none. 13 Counsel when during oral suggested least 20 amounted 2201. Had Only judgment, course different case. But even accept contention nonetheless requests compensatory disposed 14 apparently took view 54(b) delay, orders thereby became agree application statute question. 15 54(b)2 "does claim . multiple 'one all' appeal." Sears, Roebuck Mackey, 351 427, 435, 76 895, 899, 100 1297, 1306 (1956).3 Here, however, claim: several types event allegations see 8(a)(3), facts.4 Thus, despite undoubtedly findings applicable, those case make See supra, 437-438, 900-901, 1307-1308. 16 turn consider whether might theory. viewed discussion Such judgments 56(c), assessment awarding remains resolved never See, E. g., Borges Art Steel Co., 243 350 (CA2 1957); Leonidakis International Telecoin Corp., 208 934 1953); Tye Hertz Drivurself Stations, 173 317 (CA3 1949); Russell Barnes Foundation, 136 654 1943). Thus possible authorization 1292. 17 If 1292(a)(1).5 But, noted above, injunction. argued 1292(a)(1). 18 1292(b).6 Although satisfying compliance certification requirement section, showing record therein specified. And court's makes clear thought obliged There complied with, 19 Were sustain procedure followed here, condone practice whereby district virtually before render defendant, thereupon permitted without Congress carefully forth. believe Congress, enacting present §§ d 1292 28, well aware dangers overly rigid insistence "final decision" every case, sections ample provision alleviate hardship. twist fabric bear Appeals. therefore vacated, remanded 21 ordered. 22 BLACKMUN part consideration concerning separately panel rendered Circuit us Wetzel Mutual 508 239, cert. denied, 1011, 2415, 679 (1975). "Judgment parties. "When presented action, counterclaim, cross-claim, third-party parties involved, may direct entry fewer express determination delay direction judgment. In absence direction, decision, however designated, adjudicates rights liabilities shall terminate parties, subject revision time adjudicating parties." Following insure disposing some provisions. implicated Mackey's exposition fully accurate. need here attempt definitive resolution what Rules. Judge Moore, Practice P 54.24, 54.33 (2d 1975). sufficient recognize asserting right, remedies states "The courts from: "(1) Interlocutory States, Canal Zone, Guam, Virgin Islands, judges thereof, granting, continuing, modifying, dissolving injunctions, dissolve modify except Court." judge, making civil involves materially advance ultimate termination litigation, he state writing thereupon, discretion, permit taken ten order: Provided, hereunder proceedings unless judge thereof order."

Classification Label: 8