Court Opinion

ID: 8914849
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-11-27 04:35:14.320912+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:08:52.952012
License: Public Domain

SEITZ, Chief Judge,
dissenting.
I do not believe the contempt order of August 25, 1981 is appealable, and would dismiss the appeal for lack of appellate jurisdiction. I agree with the majority that the basis of our jurisdiction in the appeals from the district court’s order of March 17, *6431978 is 28 U.S.C. § 1292(a)(1) (1976). Because plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees incurred in securing the injunction have not been set, we do not have jurisdiction of those appeals under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 (1976). See Croker v. The Boeing Co. (Vertol Division), 662 F.2d 975, 983-84 (3d Cir. 1981) (in banc).
I believe that because the 1978 order is not a final decision under section 1291, we do not have jurisdiction to review the contempt order. It has long been settled that “except in connection with an appeal from a final judgment or decree, a party to a suit may not review upon appeal an order fining or imprisoning _ him for the commission of civil contempt” Fox v. Capital Co., 299 U.S. 105, 107, 57 S.Ct. 57, 58, 81 L.Ed. 67 (1936). See Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. v. Myers, 439 F.2d 834, 838 (3d Cir. 1971). See also Lamb v. Cramer, 285 U.S. 217, 52 S.Ct. 315, 76 L.Ed. 715 (1932) (post-final judgment contempt order appealable). Because the contempt order in this case precedes final judgment, I disagree with the majority’s conclusion that it is appealable under section 1291, and believe that appellate review of the contempt order must await final judgment in the principal action. As in any case where a civil contempt order is not immediately appealable, the result may cause hardship to the contemnors. Nonetheless, I believe the appeal from the contempt order must be dismissed.
The Commonwealth defendants suggest that if we lack appellate jurisdiction to review the contempt order, then a writ of mandamus should issue. I do not believe the circumstances of this case justify this extraordinary remedy. See Rodgers v. United States Steel Corp., 508 F.2d 152, 161 (3d Cir.), cert. denied, 420 U.S. 969, 95 S.Ct. 1386, 43 L.Ed.2d 649 (1975).