October Term 2016 · Docket 16-605
Must a party seeking mandatory intervention prove Article III standing?
The Town of Chester argues that mandatory intervenors need no standing. Laroe Estates claims Rule 24(a)(2) grants full party status without that requirement.
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. Katyal argued that Laroe would lack standing if it filed its own lawsuit.
Mr. Dvoretzky argued that Article III does not dictate who can join an existing case.
Justice Kagan asked about the difference between claims in relief and other claims.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 40-1 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 40-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 6-10 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 6-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 52-18 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 52-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 30-44 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 30-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 20-30 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 20-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 26-46 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 26-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 22-36 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 22-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 38-40 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 38-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 42-44 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 42-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 28-38 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 28-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 4-12 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 4-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 42-50 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 42-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 16-18 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 16-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 38-46 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 38-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 6-14 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 6-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 20-22 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 20-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 14-22 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 14-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 4-6 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 4-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 26-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 26-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 24-30 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 24-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 34-38 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 34-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 24-24 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 24-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 34-34 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 34-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 38-4 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 38-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 4-10 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 4-10
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests whether federal courts must verify Article III standing for mandatory intervenors. The Town of Chester seeks to dismiss Laroe Estates for lack of standing. Laroe Estates wants to join the existing lawsuit as a full party.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 52-18 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 52-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 30-44 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 30-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 38-40 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 38-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 6-14 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 6-14
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 17, 2017.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 22-36 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 22-36
What each side wants
The Town of Chester wants the Court to require standing for mandatory intervenors.
Laroe Estates wants the Court to allow intervention without a separate standing finding.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 52-18 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 52-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 30-44 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 30-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 38-40 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 38-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 6-14 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 6-14
What each side says
The Town of Chester argues Article III requires a case or controversy for all parties.
Laroe Estates argues Rule 24(a)(2) creates full party status independent of standing.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 52-18 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 52-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 30-44 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 30-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 38-40 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 38-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 6-14 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 6-14
What the justices asked
Justice Sotomayor asked about the confusion between permissive and automatic intervention.
Justice Breyer questioned why Article III insists on standing if the request matches existing claims.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 40-1 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 40-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 6-10 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 6-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 20-30 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 20-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 26-46 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 26-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 22-36 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 22-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 42-44 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 42-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 28-38 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 28-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 4-12 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 4-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 42-50 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 42-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 16-18 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 16-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 38-46 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 38-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 20-22 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 20-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 14-22 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 14-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 4-6 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 4-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 26-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 26-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 24-30 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 24-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 34-38 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 34-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 24-24 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 24-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 34-34 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 34-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 38-4 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 38-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 4-10 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 4-10
Why it matters
This dispute defines the procedural entry point for third parties in federal litigation. It determines whether courts must screen every new party for constitutional injury. The outcome shapes the scope of federal judicial power and case management efficiency.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 52-18 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 52-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 30-44 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 30-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 38-40 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 38-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 6-14 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 6-14
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 40-1 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 40-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 6-10 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 6-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 20-30 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 20-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 26-46 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 26-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 22-36 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 22-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 42-44 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 42-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 28-38 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 28-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 4-12 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 4-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 42-50 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 42-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 16-18 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 16-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 38-46 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 38-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 20-22 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 20-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 14-22 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 14-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 4-6 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 4-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 26-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 26-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 24-30 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 24-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 34-38 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 34-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 24-24 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 24-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 34-34 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 34-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 38-4 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 38-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 4-10 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 4-10
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 18, lines 52-18 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 52-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 30-44 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 30-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 38-40 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 38-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 6-14 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 6-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 52-18 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 52-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 30-44 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 30-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 38-40 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 38-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 6-14 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 6-14
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.