October Term 2019 · Docket 18-938
Does a bankruptcy order deciding where a contract claim will be litigated count as a final appealable order?
Ritzen Group and Jackson Masonry dispute whether a bankruptcy judge's order assigning a contract claim to state court is a final decision subject to immediate appeal.
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. Lehman argued that the order merely determined where the parties would litigate the contract claim.
Mr. Dunham cited Section 158 of the judicial code regarding district court jurisdiction over final decisions.
Mr. Suri discussed the implications of elevating status quo language into an element of the finality test.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 31-39 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 31-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 45-55 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 45-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 41-51
- 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 23-39 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-11 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 45-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-33 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 33-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 37-39
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case centers on the definition of a final order in bankruptcy proceedings. The parties argue over whether an order that merely determines the forum for a specific claim qualifies as a final decision under federal law.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-11 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 45-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 39-7
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 13, 2019.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 27-29
What each side wants
Ritzen Group wants the Court to confirm that the order is a final decision allowing immediate appeal.
Jackson Masonry wants the Court to hold that the order is not final because the bankruptcy case remains open.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-11 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 45-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 39-7
What each side says
Ritzen Group argues that the order resolved a specific claim and thus constitutes a final decision under the judicial code.
Jackson Masonry argues that the order only assigned the claim to a different forum and did not end the bankruptcy proceeding.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-11 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 45-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 39-7
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Roberts asked how the conclusion of the bankruptcy case affects the finality of the order.
Justice Alito asked whether the advocate conceded that the order was part of a proceeding but not a final order within it.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 31-39 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 31-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 45-55 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 45-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-33 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 33-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 37-39
Why it matters
This case defines when bankruptcy orders become appealable. It determines whether parties can challenge forum-selection orders immediately or must wait until the bankruptcy case concludes. The outcome shapes the efficiency of bankruptcy litigation and the rights of creditors and debtors to seek review.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-11 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 45-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 39-7
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 15-29 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 31-39 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 31-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 45-55 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 45-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-33 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 33-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 37-39
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 29, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-11 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 45-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-11 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 45-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 39-7
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.