October Term 2000 · Docket 99-1235
Can a court dismiss a case instead of pausing it to force arbitration?
The dispute centers on whether a federal judge must pause a lawsuit to allow arbitration or can end the case entirely.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Phillips argued the appellate court showed hostility toward arbitration.
Mr. Sellers argued the Federal Arbitration Act allows judges to dismiss cases.
Mr. Phillips noted the opposing side made reasonable litigation choices during discovery.
Chief Justice Rehnquist closed the argument by stating the case was submitted.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 13-7 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 13-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 35-17 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 35-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 33-35
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the power of federal judges over arbitration clauses. One side argues judges must pause cases to let arbitrators decide. The other side argues judges can dismiss cases if they find arbitration unfair.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 13-7 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 13-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 35-17 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 35-17
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 3, 2000.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 33-35
What each side wants
the side that brought the case wants the Supreme Court to restore the lower court's dismissal of the lawsuit.
the opposing side wants the Supreme Court to reinstate the lawsuit and force arbitration.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 13-7 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 13-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 35-17 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 35-17
What each side says
the side that brought the case argues the appellate court showed hostility toward arbitration by dismissing the case.
the opposing side argues the Federal Arbitration Act allows judges to dismiss cases rather than just pausing them.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 13-7 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 13-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 35-17 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 35-17
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Rehnquist asked if the case was submitted after the arguments concluded.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 33-35
Why it matters
This case defines the balance of power between judges and private arbitrators. It determines whether judges can end disputes or must pause them for private resolution. The outcome shapes how millions of consumer contracts are enforced.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 13-7 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 13-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 35-17 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 35-17
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 33-35
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 13-7 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 13-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 35-17 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 35-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 13-7 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 13-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 35-17 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 35-17
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.