{"argument_date":"2013-02-27T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2013-02-27T00:00:00Z","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/2012/12-133.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Kellogg argued the lower court erred in refusing enforcement.","Mr. Clement argued the vindication of rights doctrine applies here.","Mr. Stewart noted the Court asked about pure exculpatory clauses."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 15-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 7-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 7-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 41-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 41-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 47-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 29-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 44, lines 29-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 19-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 19-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 27-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 27-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 43-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 43-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 7-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 7-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 15-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 15-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 49-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 5-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 13-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 23-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 43-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 43-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 37-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 21-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 21-31"}]}],"caption":"American Express Co. v. Italian Colors Restaurant","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:34.649846Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:34.679812Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"American Express seeks to enforce an arbitration clause. The restaurant argues the clause blocks effective antitrust relief.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 7-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 7-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 29-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 44, lines 29-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 37-41"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2013-02-27T00:00:00Z","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/12-133.html","primary_docket":"12-133","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T22:09:38.652524Z","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":["The dispute centers on whether high arbitration costs invalidate a contract clause. American Express wants to enforce the clause. The restaurant argues the clause prevents effective legal relief."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 7-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 7-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 29-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 44, lines 29-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 37-41"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on February 27, 2013."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 15-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 15-37"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["American Express wants the Court to enforce the arbitration clause.","The restaurant wants the Court to reject the arbitration clause."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 7-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 7-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 29-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 44, lines 29-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 37-41"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["American Express argues the clause is valid under federal law.","The restaurant argues the clause prevents effective vindication of rights."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 7-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 7-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 29-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 44, lines 29-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 37-41"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Ginsburg asked if individual arbitrations provide sufficient relief.","Justice Kagan asked if a clause barring antitrust claims is enforceable."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 15-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 41-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 41-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 47-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 19-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 19-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 27-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 27-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 43-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 43-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 7-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 7-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 15-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 15-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 49-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 5-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 13-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 23-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 43-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 43-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 37-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 21-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 21-31"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the limits of arbitration agreements. It determines whether cost barriers can invalidate statutory rights. The outcome shapes access to federal antitrust remedies."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 7-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 7-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 29-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 44, lines 29-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 37-41"}]},{"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 10, lines 15-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 15-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 41-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 41-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 47-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 19-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 19-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 27-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 27-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 43-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 43-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 7-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 7-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 15-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 15-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 49-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 5-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 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21-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 21-31"}]}],"slug":"2012-12-133-american-express-co-v-italian-colors-restaurant","term":"2012","title":"Can arbitration costs block antitrust claims?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 7-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 7-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-133.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 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