Stolt-Nielsen S.A. v. AnimalFeeds International Corp.
| Docket No. | Op. Below | Argument | Opinion | Vote | Author | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08-1198 | 2d Cir. |
Dec 9, 2009 |
Apr 27, 2010 | 5-3 | Alito | OT 2009 |
Holding: Parties may sometimes settle disputes through arbitration, rather than litigation. When the dispute involves numerous similarly-situated individuals, a few individuals may conduct the arbitration on behalf of the larger groups (similar to a class action lawsuit). Here, the Court ruled that that class action arbitration is permitted only if all the parties specifically agree to it.
SCOTUSblog Coverage
- No Class Arbitration Without Agreement (Erin Miller, April 29, 2010)
- Is "silence" a fiction? (Anna Christensen, December 11, 2009)
- Does the FAA Permit Class Arbitration when the Arbitration Agreement is Silent? (Anna Christensen, December 8, 2009)
Briefs and Documents
Merits Briefs
- Brief for Petitioner Stolt-Nielsen S.A., Stolt-Nielsen Transportation Group LTD., Odfjell ASA, Odfjell Seachem AS, Odfjell USA, Inc., Jo Tankers B.V., Jo Tankers, Inc., and Tokyo Marine Co., LTD,
- Brief for Respondent Animalfeeds International Corp.
- Reply Brief for Petitioner Stolt-Nielsen S.A., Stolt-Nielsen Transportation Group LTD., Odfjell ASA, Odfjell Seachem AS, Odfjell USA, Inc., Jo Tankers B.V., Jo Tankers, Inc., and Tokyo Marine Co., LTD
Amicus Briefs
- Brief for the Pacific Legal Foundation in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for DRI- The Voice of the Defense Bar in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for CTIA—The Wireless Association® in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for Association of Ship Brokers And Agents, BIMCO, Bergen Shipowners Association, Chamber of Shipping of America, International Association of Independent Tanker Owners, Japan Shipping Exchange, Inc., Norwegian Shipowners Association, Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc., and the Teekay Corporation in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for Equal Employment Advisory Council in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for Dub Herring Ford Lincoln-Mercury, Inc., in Support of Respondent
- Brief for The American Antitrust Institute, the American Independent Business Alliance, and the National Community Pharmacists Association in Support of Respondent
- Brief for Public Citizen, Inc., in Support of Respondent
- Brief for Public Justice and Public Good in Support of Respondent
- Brief for the American Association for Justice and AARP in Support of Respondent
- Brief for the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Alliance for Justice, Asian American Justice Center, National Employment Lawyers Association, National Partnership for Women & Families, and National Women’s Law Center in Support of Respondent
- Brief for the American Arbitration Association in Support of Neither Party
- Addendum to Brief for the American Arbitration Association in Support of Neither Party
Certiorari-stage documents
- Opinion below (2d Circuit)
- Petition for certiorari
- Brief in opposition
- Brief amicus curiae of Association of Ship Brokers & Agents
- Brief amicus curiae of Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc.
- Brief amicus curiae of Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America
- Petitioner's reply
