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Lozano v. Alvarez

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Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
12-820 2d Cir. Dec 11, 2013 Mar 5, 2014 9-0 Thomas OT 2013

Holding: The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction creates a near-automatic return remedy for children who have been abducted to another country. To invoke that return remedy, the parent seeking the child’s return must file a petition seeking the return within one year of the child’s abduction. After one year has passed, the Convention still directs the court to order the child’s return, “unless it is demonstrated that the child is settled in its new environment.” The Court holds that the one-year period may not be equitably tolled, even if the abducting parent has concealed the child’s whereabouts until after the one-year period has passed.

Judgment: Affirmed, 9-0, in an opinion by Justice Thomas on March 5, 2014. Justice Alito filed a concurring opinion, in which Justices Breyer and Sotomayor joined.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

DateProceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
Jan 2 2013Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due February 4, 2013)
Feb 4 2013Brief of respondent Diana Lucia Montoya Alvarez in opposition filed.
Feb 14 2013Reply of petitioner Manuel Jose Lozano filed.
Feb 20 2013DISTRIBUTED for Conference of March 15, 2013.
Mar 18 2013The Solicitor General is invited to file a brief in this case expressing the views of the United States.
May 24 2013Brief amicus curiae of United States filed.
Jun 4 2013Supplemental brief of petitioner Manuel Jose Lozano filed.
Jun 4 2013DISTRIBUTED for Conference of June 20, 2013.
Jun 24 2013Petition GRANTED limited to Question 1 presented by the petition.
Jul 12 2013The time to file the joint appendix and petitioner's brief on the merits is extended to and including August 30, 2013.
Jul 12 2013The time to file respondent's brief on the merits is extended to and including October 22, 2013.
Aug 28 2013Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for the petitioner.
Aug 30 2013Joint appendix filed. (Statement of costs filed)
Aug 30 2013Brief of petitioner Manuel Jose Lozano filed.
Sep 4 2013Brief amicus curiae of Mexican Association for Abducted and Missing Children in support of neither party filed.
Sep 5 2013Brief amici curiae of International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (IAML) filed. (Distributed)
Sep 6 2013Brief amicus curiae of Reunite International Child Abduction Centre in support of neither party filed.
Sep 6 2013Brief amicus curiae of National Center for Missing and Exploited Children filed.
Sep 6 2013Brief amici curiae of A Child Is Missing, Inc., et al. filed.
Sep 11 2013SET FOR ARGUMENT ON Wednesday December 11, 2013.
Sep 17 2013CIRCULATED
Oct 1 2013Record received from U.S.C.A. for the Second Circuit - 1 envelope. The oral argument is electronic (Not on PACER).
Oct 1 2013Additonal record received from the U.S.C.A. Second Circuit. (1 envelope containing SEALED documents.
Oct 22 2013Brief of respondent Diana Lucia Montoya Alvarez filed. (Distributed)
Oct 29 2013Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument filed.
Oct 29 2013Brief amicus curiae of United States filed. (Distributed)
Oct 29 2013Brief amici curiae of Domestic Violence Legal Empowerment & Appeals Project (DV LEAP), et al. filed. (Distributed)
Nov 15 2013Record from U.S.D.C. for Southern District of California is electronic.
Nov 18 2013Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument GRANTED.
Nov 21 2013Reply of petitioner Manuel Jose Lozano filed. (Distributed)
Nov 22 2013Record received from the U.S.D.C. Southern District of New York(1 Box / Part of the record is located on PACER).
Dec 11 2013Argued. For petitioner: Shawn P. Regan, New York, N. Y. For respondent: Lauren A. Moskowitz, New York, N. Y.; and Ann O'Connell, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. (for United States, as amicus curiae).
Mar 5 2014Adjudged to be AFFIRMED. Thomas, J., delivered the opinion for a unanimous Court. Alito, J., filed a concurring opinion, in which Breyer and Sotomayor, JJ., joined.
Apr 7 2014JUDGMENT ISSUED.
Apr 8 2014Record received from the U.S.D.C. Southern District of New York has been returned.
Apr 8 2014Record received from U.S.C.A. for the Second Circuit has been returned.