Recent Supreme Court Rulings: Key Takeaways on Arbitration, Copyright, and Administrative Appeals

The Supreme Court recently issued three significant decisions touching on mandatory stays in arbitrable disputes, the clarification on copyright damages under the discovery rule, and the crucial ruling that administrative appeal deadlines are non-jurisdictional. The following decision alerts provide in-depth analysis and practical takeaways. Click the links below to read more about each decision.

Decision Alert: Supreme Court Unanimously Holds Courts Must Stay Suits Sent to Arbitration 

On May 16, 2024, the Supreme Court unanimously held in Smith v. Spizzirri that when a court finds that a lawsuit involves an arbitrable dispute and a party requests a stay, 9 U.S.C. § 3 of the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”) compels the court to issue a stay and the court lacks discretion to dismiss the suit. Justice Sotomayor authored the opinion. Read the full synopsis here.  

Decision Alert: Supreme Court Clarifies Copyright Act’s Damages Provision

On May 9, 2024, the Supreme Court decided Warner Chappell Music, Inc. v. Nealy, holding that a copyright owner is entitled to monetary relief for a timely infringement claim, regardless of when the infringement occurred. Read the full synopsis here.

Decision Alert: Supreme Court Unanimously Holds Administrative Appeal Deadline Is Non-Jurisdictional

On May 16, 2024, the Supreme Court unanimously held in Harrow v. Dep’t of Defense that the deadline to appeal a decision by the Merit Systems Protection Board (“MSPB”) is non-jurisdictional and therefore can be subject to equitable considerations. Justice Kagan authored the opinion. Read the full synopsis here.

For more information, please contact Chantel Febus, James Azadian, Cory Webster, Christopher Sakauye, Monika Harris, Puja Valera, or A. Joseph Duffy, IV.