October Term 2023 · Docket 22-500
Does federal law override state rules on yacht insurance claims?
A yacht insurer and a boat owner dispute which state's law governs a denied claim.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion 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
Jeffrey Wall argued federal law enforces maritime forum selection clauses.
Wall cited prior Court holdings on federal maritime policy exceptions.
Wall stated the boat is available for sale online for half a million dollars.
Bashman responded to the insurer's arguments with multiple counterpoints.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 53-43 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 53-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 31-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 15-33 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 15-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 35-11 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 35-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 53-19 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 53-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 7-43 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 7-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 9-31 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 9-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 43-25 — Transcript, file page 21, lines 43-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 37-39
- 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 23-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 19-1 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 19-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 9-31 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 9-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 25-15 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 25-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 37-9 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 37-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 23-41 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 23-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 55-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 9-19 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 9-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 37-7 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 37-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 11-17 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 11-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 39-17 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 39-17
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests whether federal maritime law controls the outcome of a yacht insurance dispute. The insurer argues federal rules apply. The owner argues state law applies.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 19-1 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 19-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 23-31
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 10, 2023.
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 64, lines 9-31 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 9-31
What each side wants
The insurer wants the Court to apply federal maritime law to the dispute.
The owner wants the Court to apply state law to the dispute.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 19-1 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 19-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 23-31
What each side says
The insurer argues federal law enforces forum selection clauses in maritime contracts.
The owner argues state law governs the specific insurance claim details.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 19-1 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 19-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 23-31
What the justices asked
Justice Kavanaugh asked if sophisticated parties often choose neutral forums without substantial connections.
Justice Alito noted old maritime law can be harsh regarding fire extinguisher requirements.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 53-43 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 53-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 31-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 15-33 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 15-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 35-11 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 35-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 53-19 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 53-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 7-43 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 7-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 9-31 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 9-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 43-25 — Transcript, file page 21, lines 43-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 9-31 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 9-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 25-15 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 25-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 37-9 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 37-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 23-41 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 23-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 55-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 9-19 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 9-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 37-7 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 37-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 11-17 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 11-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 39-17 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 39-17
Why it matters
This case defines the boundary between federal and state law in maritime insurance. It determines which legal rules apply to yacht disputes. It affects how insurers handle claims for vessel maintenance failures. It clarifies the scope of federal maritime policy.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 19-1 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 19-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 23-31
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 11, lines 53-43 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 53-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 31-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 15-33 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 15-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 35-11 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 35-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 53-19 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 53-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 7-43 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 7-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 9-31 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 9-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 43-25 — Transcript, file page 21, lines 43-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 37-39
- 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 23-27 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 9-31 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 9-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 25-15 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 25-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 37-9 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 37-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 23-41 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 23-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 55-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 9-19 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 9-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 37-7 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 37-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 11-17 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 11-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 39-17 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 39-17
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 19-1 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 19-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 19-1 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 19-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 23-31
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.