October Term 2012 · Docket 11-184
Can federal courts hear mixed civil service and discrimination claims?
the sides that brought the case seek district court review of mixed civil service and discrimination claims. The government argues only discrimination claims belong in district court.
Verified source milestones
- — 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
Eric Schnapper argued Section 7703(b)(2) grants district courts jurisdiction over all mixed cases.
Schnapper stated the second sentence of the statute is a limitations period, not a jurisdictional limit.
Ms. Harrington began her argument by referencing Justice Scalia's prior comments.
Justice Alito questioned the statutory basis for filing non-discrimination claims in district court.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 31-31 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 31-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-3
- 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 5-11 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-27 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 9-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-3 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 49-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 47-7 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 47-7
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the scope of federal district court jurisdiction. the sides that brought the case argue the statute grants broad jurisdiction over mixed cases. The government contends the statute limits district courts to discrimination claims only.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-3
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 2, 2012.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want the Supreme Court to affirm district court jurisdiction over their mixed claims.
The government wants the Supreme Court to limit district court jurisdiction to discrimination claims only.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-3
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue Section 7703(b)(2) grants district courts jurisdiction over all mixed cases.
The government argues the statute functions as a limitations period, not a jurisdictional grant.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-3
What the justices asked
Justice Sotomayor asked how a merits decision on the CSRA interacts with discrimination claims.
Justice Alito asked which provision authorizes filing non-discrimination claims in district court.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 31-31 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 31-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-27 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 9-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-3 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 49-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 47-7 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 47-7
Why it matters
This dispute determines whether federal courts can resolve mixed civil service and discrimination claims together. It affects the procedural path for federal employees seeking judicial review. It shapes the balance between agency and judicial oversight.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-3
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 10, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 31-31 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 31-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 43-47
- 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 5-11 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-27 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 9-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-3 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 49-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 47-7 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 47-7
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 25, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-3
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.