Skip to main content

Chafin v. Chafin

Docket No.11-1347
Op. Below11th Cir.
ArgumentDec 5, 2012

Holding

The return of a child to a foreign country pursuant to an order under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction does not render an appeal of that order moot.

Judgment

Vacated and remanded, 9-0, in an opinion by John Roberts on Feb 19, 2013. Justice Ginsburg filed a concurring opinion in which Justice Scalia and Justice Breyer joined.

Holding: The return of a child to a foreign country pursuant to an order under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction does not render an appeal of that order moot.

Judgment:”Vacated and remanded, 9-0, in an opinion by Chief Justice Roberts on February 19, 2013. Justice Ginsburg filed a concurring opinion in which Justice Scalia and Justice Breyer joined.

Proceedings & orders timeline

May 7, 2012
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due June 8, 2012)
Jun 8, 2012
Brief of respondent Lynne Hales Chafin in opposition filed.
Jun 20, 2012
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of September 24, 2012.
Aug 13, 2012
Petition GRANTED.
Sep 14, 2012
SET FOR ARGUMENT ON Wednesday, December 5, 2012.
Sep 26, 2012
Joint appendix filed. (Statement of costs filed)
Sep 27, 2012
Brief of petitioner Jeffrey Lee Chafin filed.
Oct 2, 2012
Record received from U.S.C.A. for 11th Circuit. (1 box)
Oct 4, 2012
Brief amicus curiae of the United States filed.
Oct 4, 2012
Proposal of the Solicitor General to lodge copies of a decision by the Constitutional Court of Spain, translated, which is cited to in their amicus curiae brief.
Oct 4, 2012
Brief amicus curiae of National Center for Missing and Exploited Children filed.
Oct 17, 2012
CIRCULATED.
Oct 22, 2012
Record from U.S.D.C. for Northern District of Alabama is electronic.
Oct 29, 2012
Brief of respondent Lynne Hales Chafin filed. (Distributed)
Oct 29, 2012
Proposal of respondent to lodge copies of documents from the Sheriff Court of South Strathclyde, Dumfries & Galloway at Airdrie, Scotland, which are cited to in her brief, petitioner's and the brief of the United States.
Nov 5, 2012
Brief amicus curiae of Centre for Family Law and Policy filed. (Distributed)
Nov 5, 2012
Motion for divided argument filed by respondent Lynne Hales Chafin.
Nov 5, 2012
Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument filed.
Nov 9, 2012
Petitioner's opposition to motion of respondent for divided argument.
Nov 20, 2012
Motion for divided argument filed by respondent DENIED.
Nov 20, 2012
Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument GRANTED.
Nov 21, 2012
Reply of petitioner Jeffrey Lee Chafin filed. (Distributed)
Nov 29, 2012
Proposal of respondent to lodge copies of the Notice of Intention to Defend in the Sheriff Court of South Strathclyde, Dumfries & Galloway at Airdrie, Scotland.
Nov 30, 2012
Lodging approved. Twenty copies of a decision by the Constitutional Court of Spain from the Solicitor General received and distributed.
Nov 30, 2012
Respondent's lodging proposals approved. Twenty copies each of documents from the Sheriff Court of South Strathclyde, Dumfries & Galloway at Airdrie, Scotland, and of the Notice of Intention to Defend in the Sheriff Court of South Strathclyde, Dumfries & Galloway at Airdrie, Scotland.
Dec 4, 2012
Proposal to lodge copies of proceedings, in the Larbie v. Larbie case before the High Court of Justice Family Division, pursuant to a request of the UKCA under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International child Abduction filed.
Dec 5, 2012
Argued. For petitioner: Michael E. Manely, Marietta, Ga.; and Nicole A. Saharsky, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. (for United States, as amicus curiae.) For respondent: Stephen J. Cullen, Washington, D. C.
Jan 23, 2013
Letter and copy of the judgment issued by the English High Court of Justice Family Division in Larbie v. Larbie counsel for the respondent received and distributed.
Feb 19, 2013
Judgment VACATED and case REMANDED. Roberts, C. J., delivered the opinion for a unanimous Court. Ginsburg, J., filed a concurring opinion, in which Scalia and Breyer, JJ., joined.
Mar 25, 2013
JUDGMENT ISSUED.
Apr 9, 2013
Record returned to U.S.C.A. for 11th Circuit.

Welcome to SCOTUSblog

Tell us a bit about yourself so we can tailor what you see. You can update these any time in your account.