{"argument_date":"2012-11-07T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2012-11-07T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2012","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case asserts the specific statute provides a different rule for costs.","the opposing side asserts the general rule applies unless expressly repealed by statute.","Justice Breyer questioned the legislative intent behind the specific statutory language.","Justice Sotomayor asked if the specific statute meets the requirement for express repeal."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 1, lines 13-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 1, lines 13-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 13-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 13-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 41-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 41-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 39-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 39-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 33-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 33-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 9-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 9-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 11-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 11-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 39-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 39-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 9-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 9-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 31-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 49-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 23-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 23-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 35-5"}]}],"caption":"Marx v. General Revenue Corp.","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:35.070218Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether a specific debt collection statute overrides the general federal rule allowing courts to award costs to winning defendants.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 1, lines 13-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 1, lines 13-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 13-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 13-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 11-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 11-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-7"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2012-11-07T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2012","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/11-1175.html","primary_docket":"11-1175","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T22:38:47.969052Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["This case tests the interaction between a specific federal statute and a general procedural rule. The core issue is whether the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act displaces the default rule for cost awards."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 1, lines 13-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 1, lines 13-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 13-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 13-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 11-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 11-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-7"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 7, 2012."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case wants the court to deny the defendant's request for costs.","the opposing side wants the court to uphold the lower court's award of costs."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 1, lines 13-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 1, lines 13-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 13-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 13-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 11-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 11-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-7"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argues the specific statute displaces the general rule for cost awards.","the opposing side argues the general rule remains available because the statute does not expressly repeal it."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 1, lines 13-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 1, lines 13-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 13-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 13-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 11-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 11-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-7"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Breyer asked why the drafter included a provision for attorney fees but not costs.","Justice Ginsburg noted that the specific statute covers costs only under a different section."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 41-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 41-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 39-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 39-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 33-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 33-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 9-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 9-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 39-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 39-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 9-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 9-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 31-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 49-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 23-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 23-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 35-5"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case determines whether prevailing defendants in debt collection suits can recover court costs. The outcome affects the financial burden on debt collectors and the scope of judicial discretion in awarding costs."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 1, lines 13-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 1, lines 13-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 13-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 13-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 11-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 11-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-7"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 41-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 41-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 39-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 39-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 33-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 33-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 9-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 9-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 39-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 39-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 9-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 9-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 31-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 49-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 23-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 23-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 35-5"}]}],"slug":"2012-11-1175-marx-v-general-revenue-corp","term":"2012","title":"Does the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act bar courts from awarding costs to prevailing defendants?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 1, lines 13-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 1, lines 13-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 13-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 13-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 11-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 11-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1175.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-7"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}