Taniguchi v. Kan Pacific Saipan, Ltd.

Docket No.	Op. Below	Argument	Opinion	Vote	Author	Term
10-1472	9th Cir.	Feb 21, 2012 Tr.Aud.	May 21, 2012	6-3	Alito	OT 2011

Holding: Because the ordinary meaning of “interpreter” is someone who translates orally from one language to another, the category “compensation of interpreters” in 28 U.S.C. § 1920(6), which includes that category among the costs that may be awarded to prevailing parties in federal court lawsuits, does not include the cost of document translation.

Plain English Summary: “Because the ordinary meaning of ‘interpreter’ is someone who translates orally from one language to another,” … ‘compensation of interpreters’ in [28 U.S.C.] § 1920(6) does not include costs for document translation.” Put even more simply, people who win federal-court lawsuits cannot be reimbursed by the losing party for any of their document translation costs.

Judgment: Reversed and remanded, 6-3, in an opinion by Justice Alito on May 21, 2012. Justice Ginsburg filed a dissenting opinion, which was joined by Justices Breyer and Sotomayor.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

Opinion analysis: “Compensation of interpreters” does not include document translation (Brian Wolfman)
Argument recap: Statutory text vs. tradition and experience: May a federal district court tax the cost of translating written documents? (Brian Wolfman)
Argument preview: Does the federal costs statute authorize an award for document translation costs? (Brian Wolfman)
Petition of the day (Marissa Miller)

Briefs and Documents

Merits Brief for the Petitioner

Amicus Briefs in Support of the Petitioner

Merits Briefs for the Respondent

Brief for Kan Pacific Saipan, Ltd.

Amicus Briefs in Support of the Respondent

Brief for Chicago Area Translators and Interpreters Association et al.

Certiorari-Stage Briefs

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Taniguchi v. Kan Pacific Saipan, Ltd.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

Briefs and Documents

Featured Posts

Challengers urge justices to dismiss census case after district court ruling – Amy Howe

Reargument analysis: Justices seek a “middle position” in takings litigation case – Miriam Seifter

Argument analysis: Justices have strong views about removal of class actions – Ronald Mann

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