October Term 2018 · Docket 17-1094
Does a late class-action appeal lose its deadline if a reconsideration motion is pending?
Nutraceutical argues the Ninth Circuit wrongly excused a late appeal. Lambert argues the deadline should pause during a pending motion.
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
Hueston argued the deadline is strict and unalterable.
Herstoff argued the deadline pauses during a pending motion.
questions_asked_by_justices
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 37-51 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 37-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 21-55 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 21-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-17 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 9-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-25 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 37-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 51-7
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The dispute centers on whether a missed deadline for a class-action appeal can be forgiven. Nutraceutical claims the deadline is strict. Lambert claims the deadline pauses during a pending motion.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 21-55 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 21-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-7
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 27, 2018.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
What each side wants
Nutraceutical wants the Court to reverse the Ninth Circuit decision.
Lambert wants the Court to affirm the Ninth Circuit decision.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 21-55 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 21-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-7
What each side says
Nutraceutical argues the deadline is mandatory and unalterable.
Lambert argues the deadline is subject to equitable tolling.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 21-55 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 21-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-7
What the justices asked
Justice Breyer asked if a natural disaster stops all deadlines.
Justice Kagan asked if the exception nullifies the deadline.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 37-51 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 37-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-17 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 9-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-25 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 37-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 51-7
Why it matters
This case defines how courts handle missed deadlines. It affects every party who files a late appeal. It clarifies the power of equitable tolling rules.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 21-55 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 21-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-7
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 17-23 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 37-51 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 37-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-17 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 9-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-25 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 37-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 51-7
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 30, lines 21-55 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 21-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 21-55 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 21-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-7
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.