Legal Document

486 U.S. 517 108 S.Ct. 1945 100 L.Ed.2d Wilfried VAN CAUWENBERGHE, Petitionerv.Roger BIARD. No. 87-336. Argued March 21, 1988. Decided June 13, Syllabus The courts of appeals have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 "from all final decisions the district courts." Under Cohen v. Beneficial Industrial Loan Corp., 337 541, 69 1221, 93 L.Ed. 1528 and Coopers & Lybrand Livesay, 437 463, 98 2454, 57 351, a "collateral order" which does not actually end court litigation is nevertheless considered to be immediately appealable if, inter alia, it resolves an important issue completely separate from merits action effectively unreviewable on appeal judgment. Petitioner, resident Belgium, was indicted in Central District California for fraudulently inducing respondent lend money real estate partnership engaged renovating Kansas City townhouse complex. While trip Switzerland, petitioner arrested applicable extradition treaty extradited Los Angeles. One week before his criminal trial commenced, filed civil suit against same District, asserting various claims arising out defaulted loan. About two weeks after sentencing following conviction charges, served with summons complaint. Court summarily denied petitioner's motions dismiss, were based upon argument that immune process because presence United States resulted extradition, forum non conveniens grounds. Appeals dismissed lack jurisdiction, citing Cohen, supra, Mitchell Forsyth, 472 511, 105 2806, 86 411. Held: Neither order denying motion dismiss ground person process, nor such grounds, collateral subject immediate as judgment 1291. Pp. 521-530. (a) Assuming, without deciding, "principle specialty," see Rauscher, 119 407, 7 234, 30 425, immunizes service while this country compelled by claim reviewable judgment, thus doctrine. Unlike qualified immunity Mitchell, "essence" principle specialty right stand trial, would irretrievably lost absent appeal. operates ensure receiving state abuse extraditing state's processes, conduct significantly implicate reviewing obligation regard, since bring its coercive power bear circumstances but simply provides resolution private dispute. Moreover, defense restrict defendant's liberty, he cannot subjected pretrial detention or required post bail, even present at trial. Furthermore, entailed mere assertion lacks personal process. involved challenge must characterized binding may vindicated 522-527. (b) grounds fall within doctrine, convenience-of-the-forum question action. Although determination require significant inquiry into facts legal issues some cases, main, ruling will generally become entangled case assessing questions relative ease access sources proof, availability witnesses, actual locus alleged culpable conduct. Thus, determinations are unsuited This conclusion fortified interlocutory review 1292(b) appropriate cases. 527-530. Affirmed. MARSHALL, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. John G. Kester, Washington, D.C., petitioner. Thomas C. Walsh, respondent. Justice MARSHALL 1 requires us determine whether types orders 1291: first, person's process; second, conveniens. 2 * arises dispute over broker Brussels, encouraged respondent, also Brussels resident, meet one Alan Blair discuss investment. Following business Atlanta, traveled Angeles where met petitioner, Blair, others, talk about described called Three B Investment Associates, complex outside known Concorde Bridge Townhouses. At urging, agreed $1 million three years 20% per annum interest, secured mortgage time, did title complex, held contract purchase had made substantial deposit. 3 partnership, making scheduled payments, eventually promissory note proved worthless acquired Respondent retained American counsel, claiming been misled believing Townhouses time Soon thereafter, prosecutors became controversy. In October 1984, another charges wire fraud causing interstate transportation victim fraud. indictment charged defendants induced them falsely representing they owned through partnership. 4 Geneva, pursuant request Department Switzerland. See Treaty between Switzerland Extradition Criminals, May 14, 1900, 31 Stat. 1928, T.S. 354 (1900). Petitioner Marshals proceedings Swiss courts. jury found guilty count On January 22, 1986, sentenced prison term year day, satisfied already spent confinement. ordered pay restitution $34,501.26 placed him probation. leave until satisfied.1 affirmed Appeals. Van Cauwenberghe, 827 F.2d 424 (CA9 1987), cert. denied, 484 1042, 773, 859 (1988). 5 November 12, 1985, others California. complaint asserted Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations (RICO) claim, common-law fraud, other pendent state-law February 5, sentencing, arriving office probation officer keep appointment. moved First, argued result Second, should both motions. App. 221, Biard CV 85-7378 JSL (Nov. 17, 1986). one-line order, Court's (1949), 411 (1985). 86-6735 (CA9, July 7, 1987).2 We granted certiorari, 942, 326, 353 (1987), we now affirm. II 6 . except direct Supreme Court." A party take there has decision "ends leaves nothing do execute judgment."3 Catlin States, 324 229, 233, 65 631, 633, 89 911 (1945). however, recognized "small class" though terminated court. U.S., 546, 1225. stated purposes if "finally determine[s] separable from, to, rights action, too independent cause itself appellate consideration deferred whole adjudicated." Ibid. refined doctrine 351 (1978). Lybrand, come satisfy each conditions: (1) "conclusively disputed question," (2) "resolve action," (3) "be judgment." 468, S.Ct., 2458 (footnote omitted). As acknowledges, merits. Therefore, either only requirements set met. A. 8 appealability principally relies supra. denial Attorney General crucial id., 525, 2815. holding unreviewable, reasoned "essential attribute" "an entitlement certain circumstances," rather than liability." Id., 526, absolute immunity, concluded, "[the entitlement] erroneously permitted go trial." 2816. 9 argues 425 (1886), well federal statutes charges. further contends like entails general specialty" law: 10 "[A] who brought virtue treaty, can tried offences offence reasonable opportunity given him, release charge, return whose asylum forcibly taken those proceedings." 430, 246. 11 merely prosecutions offenses extradited, "free any judicial interference," including suit. Brief 18. 12 decision, underlying meritorious, appealable. For determining appealability, therefore, assume, decide, presented warrants consideration. Making assumption, conclude Lybrand. 13 critical question, "the essence" claimed difficult sense, litigants meritorious dismissal reasonably But final-judgment rule narrow "irretrievably lost" appeal, Richardson-Merrell Inc. Koller, 424, 431, 2757, 2761, 340 (1985), abide court's judgments, suffer concomitant burden gaining review. MacDonald, 435 850, 860, n. 1547, 1552, 56 18 (1978): 14 "Admittedly, value—to most unusual litigant—in triumphing it, regardless substance winning claim. truism confused quite distinct proposition (because entailed, advantage litigant sooner) resolved 15 Because interests furthered rule, 3, entail examine nature special care essential aspect free burdens 16 believe shields detained conviction—an express no opinion—the burdened protection. fundamentally bears obligations states; processes state. 419-420, 240-241; M. Bassiouni, International Extradition: Law Practice, ch. pp. 360-361 (2d ed. 1987). prior attempt defendant court, prosecution, bear, involvement minimal. role provide absence explicit agreement obligating protect suit, little potential state, view breach process.4 17 addition, extent protects exercise matters anticipated liberty. Service appear attorney file answer avoid default. There possibility bail. therefore specialty. Given support becomes Cf. 433, 248 ("[Court] time").5 context due restrictions individual interest protected "not being judgments [the defendant] established meaningful 'contacts, ties, relations.' " Burger King Corp. Rudzewicz, 471 462, 471-472, 2174, 2181-2182, 85 528 quoting Shoe Co. 326 310, 319, 66 154, 160, 90 95 Similarly, order. 236, 635. correct 19 falls conclude, majority Courts issue,6 convenience "completely 2458, right. 20 requirement "a distillation piecemeal 'steps towards merge.' Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital Mercury Construction 460 1, 103 927, 935, 74 765 (1983), Allowing involve considerations enmeshed waste resources requiring repetitive substantive case. Gulf Oil Gilbert, 330 501, 508, 67 839, 843, 91 1055 (1947), "[i]mportant considerations" balance deciding particular so inconvenient warrant dismissal. these make clear motion, 21 look proof; compulsory attendance unwilling witnesses; premises, action; practical problems easy, expeditious inexpensive." To proof," scrutinize parties evaluate what proof required, pieces evidence cited critical, relevant, plaintiff's defenses Public factors relevant determination—such "local having localized controversies decided home" diversity home law govern case," 509, 843—also thrust factors, consider conduct, often issue, connection chosen forum. Piper Aircraft Reyno, 454 235, 259-260, 102 252, 267-268, 70 419 (1981). 22 list balanced means exhaustive, necessarily extensive investigation, affidavits parties. 258-259, 267-268. previously recognized, accorded flexibility evaluating 249, 263, "[e]ach turns facts." Williams Green Bay Western R. Co., 549, 557, 284, 288, 311 (1946). It undoubtedly true case, might savings expense fashioning 1291, categories injustices. Carroll 394, 405, 77 1332, 1339, 1442 (1957) ("Appeal depend case"); 857-858, 6, 1550-1551, 6.7 arise substantially overlap factual dispute, 23 Our 1292(b). 1292(b), certify nonfinal when "involves controlling difference materially advance ultimate termination litigation." then, discretion, prompt 474-475, 2460-2461. Section avenue III 24 hold neither conveniens, lacked Accordingly, affirmed. 25 ordered. Petitioner's modified returned Belgium provided security payment restitution. appearance, proceeded respondent's summary entered RICO treble damages $1.8 million, plus attorney's fees $75,000. (JRx) (Apr. Respondents, A-3. behind ordinarily raise error single known: "[The rule] emphasizes deference owe judge initially decide many fact occur course Permitting undermine independence judge, plays our system. accordance sensible policy 'avoid[ing] obstruction just permitting harassment cost succession rulings give rise, initiation entry judgment.' Firestone Tire Rubber Risjord, 449 368, 374, 101 669, 673, 571 (1981), Cobbledick 309 323, 325, 60 540, 84 783 (1940). (1900), governing matters, §§ 3186, 3192, deal explicitly protection properly business, then could rightly defend contend never haled forum, manner, "by taking extraditee's forced country." Reply 5. Carlenstolpe Merck 819 33, 36 (CA2 1987) ("[T]he 'enmeshed' action"); Partrederiet Treasure Saga Joy Manufacturing 804 308, 310 (CA5 1986) (same); Rosenstein Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, 769 352, (CA6 1985) Coastal Steel Tilghman Wheelabrator Ltd., 709 190, 195 (CA3 1983) (same). Only Circuit Hodson A.H. Robins 715 142, 145, (CA4 1983). especially worthy disposed instead findings articulating reasons decision. essentially failure explain errors promptly text, refuse fashion exception nonappealability describes "facially apparent reversible error," 35. 6; 476, 2462,

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