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Decided

Taniguchi v. Kan Pacific Saipan, Ltd.

Docket No.10-1472
Op. Below9th Cir.
ArgumentFeb 21, 2012
Vote6-3
AuthorSamuel Alito
OpinionMay 21, 2012
TermOctober Term 2011
SCOTUS PageOpinion

Holding

Because the ordinary meaning of "interpreter" is someone who translates orally from one language to another, the category "compensation of interpreters" in 28 U.S.C. § 1920(6), which includes that category among the costs that may be awarded to prevailing parties in federal court lawsuits, does not include the cost of document translation.

Judgment

Reversed and remanded, 6-3, in an opinion by Samuel Alito on May 21, 2012. Justice Ginsburg filed a dissenting opinion, which was joined by Justices Breyer and Sotomayor.

Merits Brief for the Petitioner

Amicus Briefs in Support of the Petitioner

Merits Briefs for the Respondent

Amicus Briefs in Support of the Respondent

Certiorari-Stage Briefs

Related Coverage

Proceedings & orders timeline

Jun 3, 2011
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due July 6, 2011)
Jun 30, 2011
Order extending time to file response to petition to and including August 5, 2011.
Aug 5, 2011
Brief of respondent Kan Pacific Saipan, Ltd. in opposition filed.
Aug 15, 2011
Reply of petitioner Kouichi Taniguchi filed.
Aug 17, 2011
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of September 26, 2011.
Sep 27, 2011
Petition GRANTED.
Oct 19, 2011
The time to file the joint appendix and petitioner's brief on the merits is extended to and including November 28, 2011.
Oct 19, 2011
The time to file respondent's brief on the merits is extended to and including January 11, 2012.
Nov 16, 2011
Consent to the fiing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for the petitioner.
Nov 23, 2011
Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs in support of either party or neither party received from counsel for the respondent.
Nov 28, 2011
Joint appendix filed. (Statement of costs filed)
Nov 28, 2011
Brief of petitioner Kouichi Taniguchi filed.
Dec 5, 2011
Brief amicus curiae of National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators filed.
Dec 5, 2011
Brief amici curiae of Interpreting and Translation Professors filed.
Dec 19, 2011
SET FOR ARGUMENT ON Tuesday, February 21, 2012.
Dec 23, 2011
Record received from U.S.C.A. for 9th Circuit. (1 envelope)
Dec 23, 2011
Record for U.S.D.C. for Mariana Islands (MNII) is electronic.
Jan 3, 2012
CIRCULATED.
Jan 11, 2012
Brief of respondent Kan Pacific Saipan, Ltd. filed. (Distributed)
Jan 18, 2012
Brief amici curiae of Chicago Area Translators and Interpreters Association, et al. filed. (Distributed)
Feb 2, 2012
Record from Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) is electronic.
Feb 3, 2012
Reply of petitioner Kouichi Taniguchi filed. (Distributed)
Feb 21, 2012
Argued. For petitioner: Michael S. Fried, Washington, D. C. For respondent: Dan Himmelfarb, Washington, D. C.
May 21, 2012
Judgment VACATED and case REMANDED. Alito, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Roberts, C. J., and Scalia, Kennedy, Thomas, and Kagan, JJ., joined. Ginsburg, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Breyer and Sotomayor, JJ., joined.
Jun 22, 2012
JUDGMENT ISSUED.

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