Federal Aviation Administration v. Cooper

Holding: The authorization of suits against the government for “actual damages” in the Privacy Act of 1974 is not sufficiently clear to constitute a waiver of sovereign immunity from suits for mental and emotional distress.

Judgment: Reversed and remanded, 5-3, in an opinion by Justice Alito on March 28, 2012. Justice Sotomayor filed a dissenting opinion, joined by Justices Ginsburg and Breyer. Justice Kagan took no part in the consideration or decision of this case.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

• Opinion analysis: The Court’s Privacy Act standard – neither inconceivable nor implausible (Alex Wohl)
• Argument recap: The Court’s Privacy Act rabbit hole (Alex Wohl)
• Argument preview: The Privacy Act and damages for distress (Alex Wohl)

Briefs and Documents

Merits Briefs for the Petitioner

• Brief for the Federal Aviation Administration
• Reply brief for the  Federal Aviation Administration

Merits Briefs for the Respondent

• Brief for Stanmore Cawthon Cooper

Amicus Briefs for the Respondent

• Brief for the National Whistleblower Center 
• Brief for Aids Foundation of Chicago et al.

Certiorari-stage documents

• Opinion below (9th Cir.)

• Petition for certiorari
• Brief in opposition
• Petitioner’s reply