Decision

Supreme Court further closes the prison gates

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The recent decision by the Supreme Court to deny Danny Howell’s petition for review has raised significant concerns regarding access to justice for incarcerated individuals. In a move that goes beyond simply dismissing Howell’s request, the Court has implemented a policy that restricts future noncriminal petitions filed in forma pauperis. This decision, which has been described as a “Martin-izing” of petitioners, has profound implications for those unable to afford the substantial costs associated with filing in the Supreme Court. Understanding the Implications of the Court’s Decision Filing a petition in the Supreme Court is not … Read more

Supreme Court Further Closes the Prison Gates

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On January 20, 2023, the Supreme Court took a significant step that may have far-reaching implications for access to justice, particularly for incarcerated individuals. In a routine order, the Court dismissed a petition from Danny Howell, denying his request to file without paying court fees due to financial hardship. However, the Court’s decision did not stop there; it also barred Howell from filing any future noncriminal petitions in forma pauperis, a move that has drawn criticism from legal experts and advocates alike. Implications of the Court’s Decision Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson expressed her dissent against … Read more

Justices Doubt the Necessity of Outdated Assumptions in Pension Plan Assessments

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During the recent oral arguments in M&K Employee Solutions v. Trustees of the IAM National Pension Fund, the Supreme Court justices expressed skepticism regarding the requirement for actuaries to rely on outdated assumptions when calculating costs associated with leaving a multiemployer pension plan. This case raises significant questions about the methodologies used in pension fund assessments, particularly in the context of defined-benefit plans, which are often more complex than their defined-contribution counterparts. The Nature of Multiemployer Pension Plans Multiemployer pension plans are arrangements where several employers from the same industry collaborate to provide retirement benefits … Read more

No Tariff Opinion: An Overview of Recent Supreme Court Developments

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The recent shifts in the Supreme Court’s schedule regarding opinion days have sparked considerable anticipation among legal experts and advocacy groups. With significant cases lined up for judgment, particularly those involving President Trump’s tariff policies, the legal community has been keenly observing the court’s actions. This heightened interest underscores the importance of the Supreme Court’s decisions on issues that could have far-reaching implications for both domestic and international policy. Recent Supreme Court Actions In a notable change, the Supreme Court has moved its non-argument day to the Friday preceding argument sessions. This alteration allows for … Read more