Litigation » SCOTUS On Track For Lightest Docket In 70 Years

SCOTUS On Track For Lightest Docket In 70 Years

May 18, 2016

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The Supreme Court’s hesitancy to take on new cases in the wake of Justice Antonin Scalia’s death in February – a paltry 12 cases have been added to the October 2016 term thus far this year – is putting it on track to for the lightest caseload in 70 years. The Supreme Court has downsized its caseload since the 1980s, when it routinely heard more than 150 cases per term. In 2014, the Court heard 71 cases, the fewest since World War II. Other factors may be contributing to the meager caseload: new justices; their clerks; or Congress for not passing confusing laws; the Justice Department for lagging on appeals. But no doubt the threat of important cases ending in 4-4 ties has had an impact, and with the Republican Senate’s obstruction of Obama nominee Merrick Garland, it could be a long time before a new justice is confirmed and the court returns to normal caseloads.

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