{"argument_date":"2018-12-04T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2018-12-04T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2018","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Bhabha argued expert testimony must rely on statistical data.","Mr. Yang explained how vocational experts assess national job markets.","Mr. Bhabha countered that the government mischaracterized expert handbook requirements."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 14-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 14-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 10-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 10-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 16-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 16-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 34-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 34-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 26-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 26-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 21-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 21-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 34-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 34-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 23-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 23-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 35-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 35-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 15-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 8-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 21-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 15-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 67, lines 15-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 32-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 67, lines 32-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 34-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 68, lines 34-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 31-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 15-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 71, lines 15-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 35-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 71, lines 35-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 24-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 24-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 11-24"}]}],"caption":"Biestek v. Berryhill","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:20.428793Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:20.435198Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"the sides that brought the case argue experts must cite verified sources. The government claims experts may use general knowledge.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 35-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 35-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 15-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 15-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 67, lines 15-31"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2018-12-04T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2018","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/17-1184.html","primary_docket":"17-1184","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T18:05:32.756095Z","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 case tests whether vocational experts must cite specific data sources. the sides that brought the case seek a strict rule on expert testimony. The government seeks flexibility in how experts present evidence."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 35-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 35-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 15-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 15-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 67, lines 15-31"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 4, 2018."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 8-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 35-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 71, lines 35-5"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want a rule requiring experts to cite verified data sources.","The government wants courts to accept expert testimony based on general knowledge."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 35-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 35-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 15-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 15-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 67, lines 15-31"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue expert testimony must rest on statistical data-driven sources.","The government argues experts may rely on general professional knowledge."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 35-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 35-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 15-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 15-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 67, lines 15-31"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Sotomayor asked if the expert extrapolated questionable methodology.","Justice Alito asked how this connects to the substantial evidence standard."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 14-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 14-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 10-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 10-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 16-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 16-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 34-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 34-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 26-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 26-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 21-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 21-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 34-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 34-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 23-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 23-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 21-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 32-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 67, lines 32-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 34-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 68, lines 34-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 31-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 15-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 71, lines 15-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 35-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 71, lines 35-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 24-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 24-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 11-24"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This dispute defines the evidentiary standard for vocational expert testimony. It determines how courts evaluate expert claims about job availability. The outcome shapes future disability benefit determinations nationwide."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 35-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 35-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 15-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 15-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 67, lines 15-31"}]},{"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 14-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 14-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 10-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 10-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 16-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 16-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 34-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 34-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 26-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 26-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 21-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 21-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 34-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 34-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 23-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 23-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 8-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 21-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 32-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 67, lines 32-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 34-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 68, lines 34-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 31-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 15-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 71, lines 15-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 35-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 71, lines 35-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 24-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 24-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 11-24"}]}],"slug":"2018-17-1184-biestek-v-berryhill","term":"2018","title":"Can a vocational expert rely on unverified data?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 35-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 35-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 15-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 15-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1184_k5fm.pdf","page_label":"file page 67, lines 15-31"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}