Federal Judiciary

Today’s Orders | 12.12.08

By Akin Gump Supreme Court Practice Group

Today’s orders list is available here. The Court granted certiorari in Polar Tankers v. City of Valdez (08-310) and in the consolidated cases of Travelers Indemnity v. Bailey, et al. (08-295) and Common Law Settlement Counsel v. Bailey, et al. (08-307). Filings for these cases are available after the jump.

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Docket: 08-310
Title: Polar Tankers, Inc. v. City of Valdez, Alaska
Issue: Whether a municipal tax that falls exclusively on large vessels in the city?s harbor violates the Tonnage Clause, Commerce Clause, or Due Process Clause. (Disclosure: Howe & Russell represent the respondent.)

• Opinion below (Supreme Court of Alaska)
• Petition for certiorari
• Brief in opposition
• Petitioner?s reply

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Docket: 08-295 and 08-307
Title: Travelers Indemnity v. Bailey, et al.  and Common Law Settlement Counsel v. Bailey, et al.
Issue: Whether a federal bankruptcy court can block private lawsuits that seek damages for injury and death due to exposure to asbestos?

• Opinion Below (Second Circuit)
• Petition for certiorari (08-295)
• Petition for certiorari (08-307)
• Brief in opposition
• Brief in opposition (Personal Injury Respondents)
• Brief in opposition (Chubb Indemnity Insurance Co.)
• Petitioner?s reply (08-295)

Full post as published by SCOTUSBLOG on December 12, 2008 (boomark / email).