October Term 2006 · Docket 05-669
Does the federal statute of limitations bar agency contract claims?
BP argues the six-year limit applies to agency proceedings. The government says it applies only to court suits.
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
BP's counsel argued the statute covers all contract actions.
BP's counsel stated the provision applies to agency adjudications.
The government's counsel argued the statute applies only to court suits.
The government's counsel cited the presumption against government limitations.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 15-7 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 15-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-7 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-39 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 13-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 33-25 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 33-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 3-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 51-3 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 51-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 7-9
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
BP America Production seeks to recover money from a government contract. The government denies the claim. The dispute centers on whether a federal time limit bars the claim. BP argues the limit applies to agency actions. The government argues the limit applies only to court suits. The Court must decide which interpretation is correct.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 15-7 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 15-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-7 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 33-25 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 33-25
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 4, 2006.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 27-29
What each side wants
BP wants the Court to apply the six-year limit to agency proceedings.
The government wants the Court to limit the statute to court suits.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 15-7 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 15-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-7 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 33-25 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 33-25
What each side says
BP argues the statute covers all contract actions, including agency adjudications.
The government argues the statute applies only to suits in court.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 15-7 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 15-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-7 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 33-25 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 33-25
What the justices asked
Justice Scalia asked if administrative proceedings are distinct from actions.
Justice Scalia asked which text supports the government's view.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-39 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 13-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 3-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 51-3 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 51-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 7-9
Why it matters
This case defines the scope of federal time limits. It determines when the government can pursue contract claims. It affects how agencies handle disputes. It shapes the balance between agency and court processes.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 15-7 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 15-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-7 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 33-25 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 33-25
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 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-39 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 13-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 3-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 51-3 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 51-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 7-9
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 22, lines 15-7 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 15-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-7 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 33-25 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 33-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 15-7 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 15-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-7 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 33-25 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 33-25
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.