The opinion provides no underlying factual description of the dispute between Herron and Southern Pacific Co. It states only that certain questions had been certified to the Supreme Court of the United States. After the Supreme Court's mandate answering those questions was ordered filed, the appellate court considered the effect of that mandate on the judgment below. The court then affirmed the District Court's judgment.
Issue
What disposition should the court make of the District Court's judgment after the Supreme Court of the United States has answered certified questions and its mandate has been filed?
Rule
When the Supreme Court's mandate answering certified questions has been filed, the appellate court proceeds in conformity with that mandate and may affirm the District Court's judgment accordingly.
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One of 10 multiple-choice questions for this case. Pick an answer to see why.
In a products-liability appeal from the federal district court in Denver, the Tenth Circuit certified two procedural questions to the Supreme Court. After the Supreme Court answered those questions and its mandate was ordered filed, the panel returned to the case, and the answers supported the district court's judgment for Larkspur Fabrication, Inc.
What is the most appropriate disposition by the court of appeals?
Explanation. The majority opinion establishes a narrow procedural rule: once the Supreme Court's mandate answering certified questions has been filed, the court of appeals proceeds in conformity with that mandate. Where the mandate's answers support the judgment below, the appellate court may affirm the district court's judgment accordingly. (Derived from Herron v. Southern Pacific Co. (n.d.).)