Norfolk Southern Railway Company v. Groves

Issue: 1) Whether “consignee” can be properly defined in railroad tariffs as the party named as consignee on a bill of lading that physically accepts delivery of all freight consigned to it, or whether the definition of “consignee” in such tariffs must also require proof that the party so named on the bill of lading explicitly consented to being named as consignee before accepting delivery; 2) whether the Supreme Court should resolve the circuit split over the definition of “consignee”; and 3) whether the courts have subject matter jurisdiction to interpret the terms or expand the requirements of a railroad's rail car demurrage tariff.

Briefs and Documents

Certiorari-stage documents

• Opinion below (11th Circuit)
• Petition for certiorari
• Brief in opposition
• Amicus brief for the Association for American Railroads
• Petitioner's reply
• Supplemental brief