{"argument_date":"2018-10-29T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2018-10-29T00:00:00Z","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/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","paragraphs":["Pincus argued the shift to class arbitration is fundamental.","Vercoski argued state contract principles should apply here.","questions_asked_by_justices"],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 8-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 8-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 15-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 15-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 13-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 15-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 15-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 14-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 14-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 15-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 8-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 15-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 8-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 8-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 21-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 26-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 26-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 5-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 14-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 14-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 21-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 9-28"}]}],"caption":"Lamps Plus, Inc. v. Varela","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:20.449109Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether a broad contract clause permits class arbitration.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 14-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 14-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 15-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 15-15"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2018-10-29T00:00:00Z","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/17-988.html","primary_docket":"17-988","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T18:11:22.480289Z","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":["Lamps Plus argues the clause allows class claims. Varela argues it does not."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 14-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 14-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 15-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 15-15"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 29, 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/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 8-14"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Lamps Plus wants the Court to allow class arbitration.","Varela wants the Court to block class arbitration."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 14-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 14-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 15-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 15-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Lamps Plus argues the broad clause covers class claims.","Varela argues the clause only covers individual claims."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 14-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 14-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 15-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 15-15"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Sotomayor asked if losing parties can appeal directly.","Justice Kagan asked if general clauses imply specific subcategories."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 8-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 8-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 15-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 15-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 13-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 15-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 15-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 8-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 8-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 21-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 26-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 26-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 5-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 14-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 14-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 21-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 9-28"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines how courts interpret broad arbitration clauses. It determines whether consumers can join class claims. It shapes the balance between individual and collective disputes."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 14-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 14-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 15-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 15-15"}]},{"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 8-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 8-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 15-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 15-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 13-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 15-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 15-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 8-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 8-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 8-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 21-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 26-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 26-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 5-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 14-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 14-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 21-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 9-28"}]}],"slug":"2018-17-988-lamps-plus-inc-v-varela","term":"2018","title":"Does a general arbitration clause authorize class claims?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 14-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 14-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 15-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-988_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 15-15"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}