shady grove orthopedic associates allstate insurance argued november decided march respondent allstate refused remit interest due new york law petitioner shady grove insurance claim shady grove filed class action diversity recover interest allstate owed others despite class action provisions set forth federal rule civil procedure district held deprived jurisdiction civ prac law ann precludes class action recover penalty statutory interest affirming second circuit acknowledged federal rule adopted compliance rules enabling act control conflicted held conflict rule address different issues eligibility particular type claim class treatment certifiability given class respectively finding federal rule point appeals held must applied federal courts sitting diversity substantive within meaning erie tompkins held judgment reversed case remanded reversed remanded justice scalia delivered opinion respect parts concluding preclude federal district sitting diversity entertaining class action rule pp rule answers question dispute governs unless exceeds statutory authorization congress rulemaking power burlington northern woods pp rule answers question dispute whether shady grove suit may proceed class action class action may maintained certain conditions met since attempts answer question stating shady grove suit may maintained class action relief seeks provision apply diversity suits unless rule ultra vires second circuit view rule address different issues rejected line eligibility certifiability entirely artificial event rule explicitly empowers federal certify class every case meeting criteria allstate arguments based exclusion federal claims rule reach pursuant federal statutes structure unpersuasive pp dissent claim coexist rule addresses remedy available class plaintiffs foreclosed text notwithstanding perceived purpose principle courts read ambiguous federal rules avoid overstepping authorizing statute apply rule clear dissent approach avoid conflict rule instead render rule partially invalid pp justice scalia joined chief justice justice thomas justice sotomayor concluded parts rules enabling act erie controls validity federal rule procedure section requirement federal procedural rules abridge enlarge modify substantive right means rule must really regulat procedure judicial process enforcing rights duties recognized substantive law justly administering remedy redress disregard infraction sibbach wilson though rule may incidentally affect party rights valid long regulates process enforcing rights rights available remedies rules decision adjudicating either rule satisfies criterion least insofar allows willing plaintiffs join separate claims defendants allstate arguments asserting substantive impact unavailing substantive procedural nature affected state law matters federal rule see pp opening federal courts class actions proceed state produce forum shopping inevitable result uniform system federal procedure congress created justice scalia joined chief justice justice thomas concluded part concurrence analysis federal rule may displace state procedural rule bound sufficiently intertwined substantive rights remedies state law squarely conflicts sibbach single criterion federal rule really regulat procedure pp justice stevens agreed federal rule civil procedure must apply governs whether class must certified violate rules enabling act case pp application federal rule abridge enlarge modify substantive right federal rule govern rare cases federal rule dictates answer traditionally procedural question applied displace unusual state law procedural ordinary use term intertwined state right remedy functions define scope right examples may include state laws make significantly difficult bring prove claim function limits amount recovery application federal rule directly collides state law violates rules enabling act pp civ prac law ann however state law procedural rule part new york substantive law pp scalia announced judgment delivered opinion respect parts roberts stevens thomas sotomayor joined opinion respect parts roberts thomas sotomayor joined opinion respect part roberts thomas joined stevens filed opinion concurring part concurring judgment ginsburg filed dissenting opinion kennedy breyer alito joined shady grove orthopedic associates petitioner allstate insurance company writ certiorari appeals second circuit march justice scalia announced judgment delivered opinion respect parts opinion respect parts chief justice justice thomas justice sotomayor join opinion respect part chief justice justice thomas join new york law prohibits class actions suits seeking penalties statutory minimum consider whether precludes federal district sitting diversity entertaining class action federal rule civil procedure petitioner complaint alleged following shady grove orthopedic associates provided medical care sonia galvez injuries suffered automobile accident partial payment care galvez assigned shady grove rights insurance benefits policy issued new york allstate insurance shady grove tendered claim assigned benefits allstate new york law days pay claim deny see ins law ann west allstate apparently paid time refused pay statutory interest accrued overdue benefits two percent per month see ibid shady grove filed diversity suit eastern district new york recover unpaid statutory interest alleging allstate routinely refuses pay interest overdue benefits shady grove sought relief behalf class others allstate owes interest district dismissed suit lack jurisdiction supp reasoned civ prac law ann precludes suit recover penalty proceeding class action applies diversity suits federal despite federal rule civil procedure concluding statutory interest penalty new york law held prohibited proposed class action since shady grove conceded individual claim worth roughly fell far short requirement individual suits suit belong federal second circuit affirmed dispute federal rule adopted compliance rules enabling act control conflicted conflict describe detail second circuit concluded rule address different issues finding federal rule point appeals held substantive within meaning erie tompkins thus must applied federal courts sitting diversity granted certiorari ii framework decision familiar must first determine whether rule answers question dispute burlington northern woods governs new york law notwithstanding unless exceeds statutory authorization congress rulemaking power see hanna plumer wade erie murky waters unless federal rule inapplicable invalid see question dispute whether shady grove suit may proceed class action rule provides answer class action may maintained two conditions met suit must satisfy criteria set forth subdivision numerosity commonality typicality adequacy representation also must fit one three categories described subdivision fed rule civ proc terms creates categorical rule entitling plaintiff whose suit meets specified criteria pursue claim class action federal rules regularly use may confer categorical permission see fed rules civ proc federal statutes establish procedural entitlements see thus rule provides formula deciding question attempts answer question shady grove suit may maintained class action emphasis added relief seeks apply diversity suits unless rule ultra vires second circuit believed rule conflict address different issues rule said concerns criteria determining whether given class certified section hand addresses antecedent question whether particular type claim eligible class treatment first place question rule silent see allstate embraces analysis brief respondent disagree begin line eligibility certifiability entirely artificial preconditions maintaining class action allstate suggests eligibility must depend particular cause action asserted instead attribute suit congress example provide claims involving certain number plaintiffs eligible class treatment federal words relabeling rule prerequisites eligibility criteria obviate allstate objection sure sign distinction reason event read rule addressing whether claims made eligible class treatment law certified class actions allstate asserts rule neither explicitly implicitly empowers federal certify class every case rule criteria met exactly rule says prescribed preconditions satisfied class action may maintained emphasis added class action may permitted courts maintain actions litigants discretion suggested rule may discretion residing plaintiff may bring claim class action wishes like rest federal rules civil procedure rule automatically applies civil actions proceedings district courts fed rule civ proc see califano yamasaki allstate points congress carved federal claims rule reach see shows allstate contends rule authorize class actions claims rather leaves room laws like congress unlike new york ultimate authority federal rules civil procedure create exceptions individual rule sees fit either directly amending rule enacting separate statute overriding certain instances cf henderson fact congress created specific exceptions rule hardly proves rule apply generally fact proves opposite rule authorize class actions across board statutory exceptions unnecessary allstate next suggests structure shows rule addresses certifiability section notes establishes criteria roughly analogous rule wherefore agrees subsection rule barring class actions certain claims set subsection applies shows according allstate concerns separate subject perhaps concern subject separate subject question us whether concerns subject separate subject rule purposes answering question way new york structured statute immaterial rule permits class actions meet requirements state limit permission structuring one part statute track rule enacting another part imposes additional requirements subsections undeniably answer question rule whether class action may proceed given suit cf burlington dissent argues nothing whether shady grove may maintain suit class action affects remedy may obtain wins see post opinion ginsburg whereas rule governs procedural aspects class litigation prescrib ing considerations relevant class certification postcertification proceedings addresses size monetary award class plaintiff may pursue post accordingly dissent says rule new york law may coexist peace need decide whether state law limits remedies available existing class action conflict rule terms provision precludes plaintiff maintain ing class action seeking statutory penalties unlike law sets ceiling damages puts remedies reach properly filed class actions says nothing remedies may award prevents class actions covers coming existence consequently bound certify class action seeking statutory penalties remedies even announces advance refuse award penalties event plaintiffs prevail violate statute clear prohibition maintain ing suits class actions dissent asserts plaintiff avoid barrier omitting complaint removing request statutory penalties see post even assuming statutory penalties fact complaint omitting brought class action prove addressed remedies state law instead banned class actions fraud claims plaintiff drop fraud counts complaint proceed remainder class action yet mean law provides remedy fraud ban affect procedural means remedy may pursued short although dissent correctly abandons allstate distinction alternative offers fares better dissent admits literal terms address subject rule whether class action may maintained insists provision purpose restrict remedies see post post hile phrased responsive question whether certain class actions may begin unmistakably aimed controlling actions must end unlike rule designed procedural fairness efficiency told responds entirely different concern fear allowing statutory damages awarded basis produce overkill post internal quotation marks omitted dissent reaches conclusion basis constituent concern recorded law bill jacket commentary suggesting legislature apparently fear ed combining class actions statutory penalties result annihilating punishment defendant alexander practice commentaries reprinted mckinney consolidated laws new york internal quotation marks omitted remark governor signing statement provides controlled remedy post quoting memorandum approving ch reprinted laws emphasis deleted state statement final text result compromise among competing interests post quoting sperry crompton evidence new york legislature purpose pretty sparse even accepting dissent account legislature objective face value override statute clear text even aim restrict remedy plaintiff obtain achieves end limiting plaintiff power maintain class action manner law written post bearing matters law legislature enact rewrite reflect perception legislative purpose see oncale sundowner offshore services dissent concern state prerogatives frustrated rather furthered revising state laws potential conflict federal rule arises approach accept law written test validity federal rule dissent approach determining whether state federal rules conflict based subjective intentions state legislature enterprise destined produce confusion worse confounded sibbach wilson mean begin one state statute survive accordingly affect procedures federal another state identical law merely authors different aspirations also mean district courts discern every diversity case purpose behind putatively state procedural rule even text squarely conflicts federal law task often prove arduous many laws one aim aim others may impossible discern moreover extent dissent approach depends characterization aims substantive apply many state rules ostensibly addressed procedure pleading standards example often embody policy preferences types claims succeed rules governing summary judgment pretrial discovery admissibility certain evidence hard cases abound even clear state pronouncement law purpose settle issue since existence factual predicate avoiding federal ultimately federal question predictably federal judges condemned poring state legislative history may less easily obtained less thorough less familiar federal counterpart see mersky dunn fundamentals legal research ed torres windsor state legislative histories select annotated bibliography lib dissent indeed artificially narrow scope finding pursues substantive policies central difficulty dissent position central difficulty even artificial narrowing render compatible rule whatever policies pursue flatly contradict allstate asserts dissent implies see post must interpret rule manner avoids overstepping authorizing rule susceptible two meanings one violate another agree see ortiz fibreboard cf semtek lockheed martin rule unambiguously authorizes plaintiff federal civil proceeding maintain class action rule prerequisites met contort text even avert collision state law might render invalid see walker armco steel dissent approach achieves avoiding conflict rule post rather invalidation rule pursuant rules enabling act extent conflicts substantive policies way reach dissent destination must therefore confront whether rule falls within statutory authorization erie involved constitutional power federal courts supplant state law rules context made difference whether rule technically one substance procedure touchstone whether significantly affect result litigation guaranty trust york test either constitutionality statutory validity federal rule procedure congress undoubted power supplant state law undoubted power prescribe rules courts created long rules regulate matters rationally capable classification procedure hanna rules enabling act congress authorized promulgate rules procedure subject review limitation rules shall abridge enlarge modify substantive right long held limitation means rule must really regulat procedure judicial process enforcing rights duties recognized substantive law justly administering remedy redress disregard infraction sibbach see hanna supra burlington test whether rule affects litigant substantive rights procedural rules mississippi publishing murphree matters rule regulates governs manner means litigants rights enforced valid alters rules decision adjudicate rights internal quotation marks omitted applying test rejected every statutory challenge federal rule come us found compliance rules prescribing methods serving process see fed rule civ proc hanna supra fed rule civ proc requiring litigants whose mental physical condition dispute submit examinations see sibbach supra fed rule civ proc schlagenhauf holder likewise upheld rules authorizing imposition sanctions upon file frivolous appeals see burlington supra fed rule app proc sign papers without reasonable inquiry facts asserted see business guides chromatic communications enterprises fed rule civ proc rules practical effect parties rights undeniably regulated process enforcing rights none altered rights available remedies rules decision adjudicated either applying criterion think obvious rules allowing multiple claims claims multiple parties litigated together also valid see fed rules civ proc joinder claims joinder parties consolidation actions rules neither change plaintiffs separate entitlements relief abridge defendants rights alter claims processed reason rule least insofar allows willing plaintiffs join separate claims defendants class action falls within authorization class action less traditional joinder species merely enables federal adjudicate claims multiple parties instead separate suits like traditional joinder leaves parties legal rights duties intact rules decision unchanged allstate contends authorization class actions substantively neutral allowing shady grove sue behalf class transform dispute five hundred dollar penalty dispute five million dollar penalty brief respondent allstate aggregate liability however depend whether suit proceeds class action members putative class allstate acknowledges bring freestanding suit asserting individual claim undoubtedly true plaintiffs bring individual suits relatively small sums involved choose join class action bearing however allstate plaintiffs legal rights likelihood even many plaintiffs induced sue availability class action sort incidental effec long held violate mississippi publishing supra allstate argues rule violates state law displaces creates right federal rule abridges namely substantive right subjected aggregated liability single suit brief respondent begin doubt nothing text found new york procedural code confines claims new york law course new york power alter substantive rights duties created sovereigns said consequence excluding certain class actions may cap damages defendant face single suit law alters procedure respect different state law forbidding simple joinder fallback argument allstate argues even procedural provision enacted substantive reasons emphasis added end improve conduct litigation process alter outcome process fundamental difficulty arguments substantive nature new york law substantive purpose makes difference federal rule procedure valid jurisdictions invalid others valid cases invalid others depending upon whether effect frustrate state substantive law state procedural law enacted substantive purposes clearer sibbach petitioner says phrase rights rules enabling act connotes use congress intended regulating procedure deal important substantial rights theretofore recognized recognized state courts divided power absence statute order physical examination number order authorized statute rule asserted right moreover important many others enjoyed litigants district courts sitting several federal rules civil procedure altered abolished old rights privileges created new ones connection conduct litigation adopt suggested criterion importance alleged right invite endless litigation confusion worse confounded test must whether rule really regulates procedure footnotes omitted hanna unmistakably expressed understanding compliance federal rule enabling act assessed consulting rule effects individual applications instructed apply federal rule refuse advisory committee congress erred prima facie judgment rule question transgresses neither terms enabling act constitutional restrictions sum substantive procedural nature purpose affected state law matters substantive procedural nature federal rule held since sibbach reaffirmed repeatedly validity federal rule depends entirely upon whether regulates procedure see sibbach supra hanna supra burlington authorized valid jurisdictions respect claims regardless incidental effect upon rights words response concurrence understand accept framework apply requires first determining whether federal state rules reconciled answer different questions second determining whether federal rule runs afoul post stevens concurring part concurring judgment concurrence agrees us rule conflict post departs us respect second part test whether application federal rule violates post like us answers reason different post concurrence decide case basis rule procedural state law displaces procedural sense function part state definition substantive rights remedies post state procedural rule preempted according concurrence long bound sufficiently intertwined substantive right remedy defines scope substantive right remedy post analysis squarely conflicts sibbach established rule apply concurrence contends sibbach rule approach recognizing impracticability test turns idiosyncrasies state law sibbach adopted applied rule single criterion whether federal rule really regulates procedure concurrence approach yielded result sibbach proves nothing matters rule apply rule leaves room special exemptions based function purpose particular state rejected attempt read sibbach exception basis opinion see schlagenhauf see reason find implied limitation today reality concurrence seeks apply sibbach overrule rewrite approach concurrence insists gives short shrift statutory text forbidding federal rules abridg ing enlarg ing modify ing substantive right see post something possible understand determined whether federal rule enlarges substantive rights without consulting state law rule creates substantive right even one duplicates rights establishes new federal right hard understand determined whether federal rule abridges modifies substantive rights without knowing rights obtain federal rule exist sibbach exclusive focus challenged federal rule driven real concern federal rules vary state state chaos see hard square sibbach settled law however nearly seven setting aside precedent requires special justification beyond bare belief wrong patterson mclean credit union internal quotation marks omitted party seeking overturn statutory precedent bears even greater burden since congress remains free correct us adhering precedent enables see finley exxon mobil allapattah services congress service presenting moving target events allstate even asked us overrule sibbach let alone carried burden persuading us cf ibp alvarez cast aside decision escapes us especially since concurrence explains affect concurrence also contends applying sibbach assessing whether federal rule regulates substance procedure always easy see post undoubtedly hard cases arise though managed muddle well enough years since sibbach decided concurrence acknowledges post basic difficulty unavoidable statute refers substantive right escaping distinction concurrence approach nothing diminish difficulty rather magnifies many times instead single hard question whether federal rule regulates substance procedure approach present hundreds hard questions forcing federal courts assess substantive procedural character countless state rules may conflict single federal still sidestep problem seeks avoid end day one must come face face decision whether state policy putatively procedural state rule may bound pertains substantive right remedy post whether substance one explores alternatives sibbach rule wisdom becomes apparent must acknowledge reality keeping door open class actions proceed state produce forum shopping unacceptable comes consequence rules created fill supposed gaps positive federal law see hanna neither constitution treaty statute provides rule decision authorizes federal supply one state law must govern law ibid see clark erie constitutional source cal rev divergence state law attendant consequence forum shopping inevitable indeed one might say intended result uniform system federal procedure congress created possibility case may follow different course filed federal instead state cf hanna short matter federal rule governing procedure valid whether alters outcome case way induces forum shopping hold otherwise disembowel either constitution grant power federal procedure congress exercise judgment appeals reversed case remanded proceedings ordered shady grove orthopedic associates petitioner allstate insurance company writ certiorari appeals second circuit march justice stevens concurring part concurring judgment new york law issue civ prac law ann cplr west procedural rule part new york substantive law accordingly agree justice scalia federal rule civil procedure must apply case join parts opinion also agree justice ginsburg state procedural rules federal courts must apply diversity cases function part state definition substantive rights remedies principle federal courts sitting diversity apply state substantive law federal procedural law hanna plumer principle governed statutory framework way administered varies depending upon whether federal rule addressed matter see federal rule applies federal must follow rules decision act make relatively unguided erie choice hanna determine whether state law rule decision situation covered federal rule rules decision act inquiry terms apply see hanna instead rules enabling act enabling act controls see mean however federal rule always governs congress provided system uniform federal rules see federal courts sitting diversity operate independent system administering justice litigants properly invoke jurisdiction byrd blue ridge rural elec cooperative clones assume aspects state tribunals managed article iii judges see hanna congress may constitutional power prescribe procedural rules interfere state substantive law number respects congress done instead provided enabling act although may prescribe general rules practice procedure rules shall abridge enlarge modify substantive right therefore hen situation covered one federal rules instructed apply federal rule unless violate act constitution hanna although enabling act rules decision act say roughly federal courts apply state law federal law inquiries ibid see also enabling act invite federal courts engage relatively unguided erie choice instead instructs federal rules abridge enlarge modify substantive right enabling act limitation mean federal rules displace state policy judgments means federal rules displace state definition rights remedies see sibbach wilson reasoning phrase embraces state rights sought enforced judicial proceedings congress thus struck balance ousekeeping rules federal courts generally apply diversity cases notwithstanding federal rules inevitably differ state rules hanna every federal rul practice procedure displace state law contrary federal rules must interpreted degree sensitivity important state interests regulatory policies gasperini center humanities applied diversity cases background congress command rules alter substantive rights consideration degree rule makes character result federal litigation stray course follow state courts hanna tricky balance important observe balance congress struck turns part nature state law displaced federal rule view application balance necessarily turn whether state law issue takes form traditionally described substantive procedural rather turns whether state law actually part state framework substantive rights remedies see cf hanna line shifts legal context changes guaranty trust york noting words ach impl different variables depending upon particular problem used applying balance therefore requires careful interpretation state federal provisions issue line procedural substantive law hazy erie tompkins reed concurring matters procedure matters substance mutually exclusive categories easily ascertainable contents sibbach frankfurter dissenting rather ules lawyers call procedural always exhaust effect regulating procedure cohen beneficial industrial loan situations procedure substance interwoven rational separation becomes impossible rutledge dissenting state procedural rule though undeniably ordinary sense term may exist influence substantive outcomes healy milwaukee metropolitan sewerage posner may instances become bound right remedy defines scope substantive right remedy laws example may seemingly procedural rules make significantly difficult bring prove claim thus serving limit scope claim see cohen state procedure required plaintiffs post bond suing guaranty trust state statute limitations procedural rules may also define amount recovery see gasperini state procedure examining jury verdicts means capping available remedy moore listing examples federal courts applying state laws affect amount judgment federalist system congress mandated federal courts dictate state legislatures form substantive law must take federal courts ignore portions substantive state law operate procedural devices many instances limit ways sovereign may define rights remedies state chooses use traditionally procedural vehicle means defining scope substantive rights remedies federal courts must recognize respect choice cf ragan merchants transfer warehouse since th cause action created local law measure found local law local law qualifies abridges federal must follow suit ii federal rule state law appear govern question federal sitting diversity precedents set framework federal courts negotiate thorny area steps inquiry critical question state law federal rule mean must first determine whether scope federal rule thereby leaving room operation seemingly conflicting state law see burlington northern woods walker armco steel federal rule apply operate alongside state rule ac congress governing particular question must engage traditional rules decision act inquiry erie progeny instances plain meaning federal rule come state law operate walker instances rule fairly construed burlington northern sensitivity important state interests regulatory policies gasperini collide state hand federal rule sufficiently broad control issue direct collision walker must decide whether application federal rule represents valid exercise rulemaking authority bestowed rules enabling act burlington northern see also gasperini hanna act requires inter alia federal rules abridge enlarge modify substantive right emphasis added unlike justice scalia believe application federal rule effectively abridges enlarges modifies right remedy violates command congress may constitutional power supplant state law rules rationally capable classification procedure ante internal quotation marks omitted generally presume done cf wyeth levine slip observing start assumption federal statute displace state law unless clear manifest purpose congress internal quotation marks omitted indeed mandate federal rules shall abridge enlarge modify substantive right evinces opposite intent congress decision delegate creation rules rather political branch see wright miller cooper federal practice procedure ed hereinafter wright thus second step inquiry may well bleed back first federal rule appears abridge enlarge modify substantive right federal courts must consider whether rule reasonably interpreted avoid impermissible result see semtek lockheed martin avoiding interpretation federal rule civil procedure arguably violate jurisdictional limitation rules enabling act contained saving construction possible rule violate enabling act federal courts apply rule see mandating federal rules shall alter substantive right emphasis added hanna measuring federal rule standards contained enabling act need wholly blind degree rule makes character result federal litigation stray course follow state courts see also semtek noting state law granted particular right federal extinguishment right seem violate cf statement justices black douglas observing federal rules applied given situations might declared invalid federal rule therefore govern particular case rule displace state law procedural ordinary use term intertwined state right remedy functions define scope right absent governing federal rule federal must engage traditional rules decision act inquiry erie line cases application enabling act shows sensitivity important state interests post regulatory policies post congress authorized ensuring federal rules ordinarily prescribe general rules practice procedure abridge enlarge modify substantive right justice scalia believes sole enabling act question whether federal rule really regulates procedure ante plurality opinion internal quotation marks omitted means apparently whether regulates manner means litigants rights enforced ante internal quotation marks omitted respectfully interpretation enabling act consonant act first limitation general rules practice procedure ignores second limitation rules also abridge enlarge modify substantive right emphasis added ignores balance congress struck uniform rules federal procedure respect state construction rights remedies also ignores presumption see wright federalism presumption see wyeth slip counsel judicially created rules displacing state substantive although plurality appears agree much interpretation see ante nonetheless rejects approach two reasons mistaken first justice scalia worries federal courts inquire effect federal rules state law enmesh federal courts difficult determinations whether application given rule displace state determination substantive rights see ante nn see enabling act inquiry looks state law necessarily taxing justice event inquiry enabling act requires may easy decide actually substantive right designations substantive procedural become important enabling act made ely see also wright question therefore rule think easiest federal courts question rule congress established although justice scalia may generally prefer easily administrable rules preference give us license adopt interpretation rules enabling act courts ignore text context service simplicity second plurality argues interpretation enabling act dictated decision sibbach applied federal rule parties must submit medical examinations plurality misreads opinion justice harlan observed hanna shorthand formulations appeared earlier opinions prone carry untoward results frequently arise oversimplification concurring opinion understand sibbach first necessary understand issue petitioner raised facial question whether rules federal rules civil procedure within mandate congress specific question obligation federal courts apply substantive law state therefore occasion consider whether particular application federal rules question offend enabling sibbach analysis necessary resolution case matter issue requiring medical exams litigants pertain substantive rights enabling act although state rules bearing litigation process adopted policy reason seemingly procedural rules define scope substantive right remedy matter issue sibbach reflected competing federal state judgments privacy interests privacy concerns may weighty sense substantive pertain scope state right remedy issue litigation thus response petitioner argument sibbach substantive rights include rights sought adjudicated litigants also general principle question public policy legislature able pass upon held phrase embraces state rights tort law case sought enforced judicial proceedings federal rule fact displaced state rule sufficiently intertwined state right remedy perhaps enabling act analysis subsequent cases iii justice ginsburg views basic issue case whether apply federal rule dictates answer traditionally procedural question whether join plaintiffs together class state law defines dimensions claim dictates opposite answer post explained readily acknowledge federal rule displaces state rule ordinary sense term healy sufficiently interwoven scope substantive right remedy enabling act problem federal rule give way view however case rule controls class certification district case us asked certify class action federal rule civil procedure squarely governed determination whether explicit function rule rule therefore must apply unless application abridge enlarge modify new york rights remedies notwithstanding plain language rule understand dissent find rule govern question class certification matter new york made substantive judgment class certified means proscribing damages although discussed infra accept dissent view also see dissent interpretation rule follows agree justice ginsburg courts avoi immoderate interpretations federal rules trench state prerogatives post instances interpre federal rules avoid conflict important state regulatory policies post internal quotation marks omitted dissent done simply rule read light federalism concerns follow courts may rewrite rule bottom dissent interpretation rule seems rule covers cases application create erie problem dissent apply rules decision act inquiry erie even cases governing federal rule thus act terms apply hen situation covered one federal rules question facing far cry typical relatively unguided erie choice hanna question whether enabling act satisfied although reflects laudable concern protect state regulatory policies post internal quotation marks omitted justice ginsburg approach view work end run around congress system uniform federal rules see decision hanna federal courts interpret federal rules sensitivity state prerogatives post even state interests warrant respectful consideration post federal courts rewrite rules dissenting colleagues feel strongly substantive class certification denied argue within enabling act framework otherwise federal rule applies regardless contrary state law gasperini accord hanna applying rule violate enabling act explained considering whether certify class action one federal must inquire whether abridge enlarge modify new york rights remedies thereby violate enabling act inquiry always simple one difficult conceive rule procedure significant effect outcome case wright almost rule said effects affecting society distribution risks rewards ely faced federal rule dictates answer traditionally procedural question displaces state rule one often argue state rule really part state definition rights remedies view however bar finding enabling act problem high one mere fact state law designed procedural rule suggests reflects judgment state courts operate judgment scope rights remedies purposes operating federal system costs involved attempting discover true nature state procedural rule allowing rule operate alongside federal rule appears govern question mere possibility federal rule alter right sufficient must little doubt text cplr expressly unambiguously applies claims based new york law also claims based federal law law state interpretation new york courts contrary therefore hard see understood rule though procedural form serves function defining new york rights remedies apparent lawsuits new york law joined federal class actions well new york passed new york done nothing prevent true dissent points limited amount legislative history read suggest new york officials supported wished create limitation new york statutory damages post justice scalia notes law new york see ante opinion legislative history moreover clearly describe judgment operate limitation new york statutory damages evaluating legislative history necessary distinguish procedural rules adopted policy reason seemingly procedural rules intimately bound scope substantive right remedy although almost every rule adopted reason effect outcome litigation every state rule defines dimensions claim post new york clearly crafted intent certain lawsuits statutory penalties joined class actions new york courts decision reflects policy judgment lawsuits proceed new york courts class form justice ginsburg carefully outlines see post apparently adopted response fears procedure applied statutory penalties lead annihilating punishment defendant alexander practice commentaries reprinted mckinney consolidated laws new york internal quotation marks omitted see also sperry crompton statements particularly strong evidence serves define obtain statutory penalty certifying class enlarge new york remedy device makes litigation easier makes easier plaintiffs recover damages addition fear excessive recoveries opponents broad device argued need permit class actions order encourage litigation statutory penalties provided aggrieved party sufficient economic incentive pursue claim emphasis added opponents may felt merely number reasons new york courts conduct trials class format format unnecessary motivate justice ginsburg asserts true suits seeking statutory damages arguably best suited class device individual proof actual damages unnecessary post people believe class actions inefficient least unfair insofar join together slightly disparate claims force courts adjudicate unwieldy lawsuits us dismiss possibility new york legislators shared beliefs thus wanted exclude class vehicle appeared unnecessary legislative history thus reveals classically procedural calibration making easier litigate claims new york courts source law necessary making easy class tool required sort calculation might go setting filing fees deadlines briefs course difference degree examples class certification difference kind class vehicle may greater practical effect brings lawsuits low filing fees transform damages proscription post limitation post difference degree relevant forum shopping considerations part rules decision act erie inquiry applicable federal rule govern particular question issue fairly read considerations matter precisely reasons given dissent see post case explained hanna incorrect assumption rule erie thompkins constitutes appropriate test applicability federal rule civil procedure true enabling act erie rule say roughly federal courts apply state law federal law tests different reflect fact designed control different sorts decisions rule governs class certification decision whether certifying class diversity case abridge enlarge modify new york substantive rights remedies although one argue class certification enlarge new york limited damages remedy see post arguments rest extensive speculation new york legislature mind created given two plausible competing narratives seems obvious respect plain textual reading rule new york procedural code certify class actions brought source law respect congress decision rule governs class certification federal courts order displace federal rule must possibility state rule different appears accordingly concur part concur judgment shady grove orthopedic associates petitioner allstate insurance company writ certiorari appeals second circuit march justice ginsburg justice kennedy justice breyer justice alito join dissenting today approves shady grove attempt transform case award although state creating right recover proscribed alchemy shady grove filed suit new york state interest payment authorized new york ins law ann west penalty overdue benefits shady grove measure amount instead filing federal based parties diverse citizenship requesting class certification shady grove hopes recover class statutory damages new york legislature barred remedy instructing unless specifically permitted action recover penalty minimum measure recovery created imposed statute may maintained class action civ prac law ann cplr west nevertheless holds federal rule civil procedure prescribes procedures conduct class actions federal courts preempts application diversity suits reads rule relentlessly override new york restriction availability statutory damages decisions however caution us ask undermining state legislation conflict really necessary cf traynor conflict really necessary tex rev engaged inquiry read rule collide new york legitimate interest keeping certain monetary awards reasonably bounded continue interpret federal rules awareness sensitivity important state regulatory policies today judgment radically departs course dissent erie doctrine long settled federal courts sitting diversity apply state substantive law federal procedural law gasperini center humanities see erie tompkins justice harlan aptly conveyed importance doctrine described erie one modern cornerstones federalism expressing policies profoundly touch allocation judicial power state federal systems hanna plumer concurring opinion although found erie application sometimes challenging endeavor gasperini two federal statutes mark way first rules decision prohibits federal courts generating substantive law diversity actions see erie originally enacted part judiciary act restraint serves policy prime importance federal system therefore applied act eye alert avoiding disregard state law guaranty trust york second rules enabling act enacted authorizes us prescribe general rules practice procedure federal courts crucial restriction rules shall abridge enlarge modify substantive right pursuant statute adopted federal rules civil procedure interpreting scope rules including particular rule mindful limits authority see ortiz fibreboard rules enabling act counsels adventurous application rule tension act best kept within tolerable limits amchem products windsor see also semtek lockheed martin federal rule controls issue directly conflicts state law rule long consonant rules enabling act applies diversity suits see hanna however federal rule statute governs issue rules decision act interpreted erie controls act directs federal courts diversity cases apply state law failure invite yield markedly disparate litigation outcomes see gasperini hanna recognizing rules decision act rules enabling act simultaneously frame inform erie analysis endeavored diversity suits remain safely within bounds congressional directives prior decisions point many mentioned opinion avoided immoderate interpretations federal rules trench state prerogatives without serving countervailing federal interest application hanna analysis said premised collision federal rule state law walker armco steel quoting hanna displace state law federal rule fairly construed must issue thereby leaving room operation law burlington northern woods quoting walker emphasis added cf stewart organization ricoh scalia dissenting deciding whether federal rule procedure encompasses particular issue broad reading create significant disuniformity state federal courts avoided text decisions vigilantly read federal rules avoid conflict state laws palmer hoffman example read federal rule lists affirmative defenses control manner pleading listed defenses diversity cases burden proof cases palmer held state law controls six years later ragan merchants transfer warehouse ruled state law determines diversity suit commences purposes tolling state limitations period although federal rule specified civil action commenced filing complaint held rule displace state law tied action commencement service summons cause action wa created local law explained therefore measure wa found local law similarly cohen beneficial industrial loan held applicable diversity action state statute requiring plaintiffs prerequisite pursuit stockholder derivative action post bond security costs time litigation rule rule addressed plaintiff institution derivative action federal although federal rule specified prerequisites stockholder maintenance derivative action found conflict rule state statute question requirements enforced observed see burdensome requirement may cohen made plain suitors escape upfront outlay resorting federal diversity jurisdiction cases stated hanna scope federal rule broad losing party urged therefore federal rule covered point dispute erie commanded enforcement state law hanna found clash unavoidable ibid petitioner effected service process prescribed federal rule method satisfy special massachusetts law applicable service executor administrator even rejected massachusetts prescription favor federal procedure however majority hanna recognized federal rules must interpreted courts applying process interpretation reflect awareness legitimate state interests fallon manning meltzer shapiro hart wechsler federal courts federal system ed hereinafter hart wechsler following hanna continued interpre federal rules avoid conflict important state regulatory policies hart wechsler walker took question whether ragan overruled held federal rule directly conflict state rules governing time action commences purposes tolling limitations period rule said addresses date various timing requirements federal rules begin run purpor displace state tolling rules significant state policy interests frustrated observed read rule superseding state rule required actual service defendant stop clock statute limitations similarly attentive state regulatory policy gasperini diversity case concerned standard determining large size jury verdict warrants new trial federal state courts alike generally employed shock conscience test reviewing jury awards excessiveness see federal courts pursuant federal rule worded time gasperini instructed trial grant new trial reasons new trials heretofore granted actions law courts fed rule civ proc west effort provide greater control new york prescribed procedures jury verdicts examined determine whether deviate materially reasonable compensation see gasperini quoting cplr held rule inhibit accommodation new york invigorated test recently semtek addressed effect judgment dismissing diversity action basis california statute limitations case came us plaintiff renewed fray defendant maryland state plaintiff chose maryland state limitations period yet run held federal rule provided involuntary dismissal operate adjudication merits bar maintenance renewed action maryland hold rule precluded maryland courts entertaining case said arguably violate jurisdictional limitation rules enabling act many cases violate erie federalism principle sum hanna decisions show federal courts cautioned interpre federal rules sensitivity important state interests gasperini avoid conflict important state regulatory policies internal quotation marks omitted veers away approach conspicuously recent reiteration gasperini ante favor mechanical reading federal rules insensitive state interests productive discord decisions instruct adjudication diversity cases state interests whether advanced statute cohen procedural rule gasperini warrant respectful consideration yet today gives quarter new york limitation statutory damages requires lower courts thwart regulatory policy stake prevent excessive damages new york law controls penalty defendant may exposed single suit story behind enactment deserves telling judicial conference state new york proposed new statute designed set flexible functional scheme provide effective controlled group remedy judicial conference report cplr reprinted laws pp mckinney originally drafted legislation addressed procedural aspects class actions specified example five prerequisites certification eventually codified closely tracked listed rule see cplr requiring class certification numerosity predominance typicality adequacy representation superiority judicial conference proposal new york legislature hopper various groups advocated addition provision prohibit class action plaintiffs awarded penalty except expressly authorized pertinent statute sperry crompton constituents feared recoveries beyond actual damages lead excessively harsh results ibid also argued need permit class actions statutory penalties provided aggrieved party sufficient economic incentive pursue claim ibid penalties constituents observed often far exceed plaintiff actual damages lumped together argued penalties class actions produce overkill attachment letter perkinson new york state council retail merchants gribetz executive chamber june legislative report bill jacket ch aiming avoid annihilating punishment defendant new york legislature amended proposed statute bar recovery statutory damages class actions alexander practice commentaries reprinted mckinney consolidated laws new york internal quotation marks omitted signing statement governor hugh carey stated new statute empowers prevent abuse class action device provides controlled remedy memorandum approving ch reprinted laws emphasis added final bill result compromise among competing interests sperry section allows courts leeway deciding whether certify class rejects use class mechanism pursue particular remedy statutory damages limitation designed fair conduct efficiency litigation mind indeed suits seeking statutory damages arguably best suited class device individual proof actual damages unnecessary new york decision instead block proceedings statutory damages therefore makes scant sense except means manifestly substantive end limiting defendant liability single lawsuit order prevent exorbitant inflation penalties remedies new york legislature created individual suits shady grove contends today agrees rule unavoidably preempts new york prohibition recovery statutory damages class actions federal rule emphasizes shady grove suit may maintained class action conflicts instruction may proceed ante internal quotation marks omitted emphasis deleted accordingly insists apply diversity suits unless rule ultra vires ibid concluding rule violate rules enabling act holds federal provision controls shady grove ability seek behalf class statutory penalty ante plurality opinion ante stevens concurring part concurring judgment convinced finds conflict none necessary mindful history behind enactment thrust precedent limitation rules enabling act conclude second circuit every district considered question rule collide second circuit well understood rule prescribes considerations relevant class certification postcertification proceedings command particular remedy available party sues representative capacity see section contrast trains latter issue sensibly read rule governs procedural aspects class litigation allows state law control size monetary award class plaintiff may pursue words rule describes method enforcing claim relief defines dimensions claim regard immaterial bars statutory penalties wholesale rather retail fashion new york legislature embedded limitation every provision creating cause action penalty authorized operates shorthand effect much part delineation claim relief included claim claim new york code focuses whether suit may may maintained class action see ante putting question way home reason rule authorizes class treatment suits satisfying prerequisites class mechanism generally affords fair efficient way aggregate claims adjudication section responds entirely different concern allow class members recover statutory damages new york legislature considered result adjudicating claims en masse fair efficient conduct class litigation legitimate concern rule remedy infraction state law however legitimate concern state lawmakers federal rulemakers cf ely irrepressible myth erie harv rev relevant whether state provision embodies substantive policy represents procedural disagreement federal rulemakers respecting fairest efficient way conducting suppose example state wishing cap damages class actions enacted statute providing suit recover may maintained class action reasoning attributes dispositive significance words may maintained rule preempt provision nevermind congress authorizing promulgation rules procedure federal courts surely intend displace ceilings suggests analysis might differ statute limit ed remedies available existing class action ante rule might conflict state statute prescribing may recovered class action real difference purpose intended effect two hypothetical statutes notion one directly impinges rule domain fundamentally misperceives office rule absence inevitable collision rule becomes evident comprehended federal sitting diversity accord due respect state federal prescriptions plaintiffs seeking vindicate claims state provided statutory penalty may pursue relief class action forgo statutory damages instead seek actual damages injunctive declaratory relief putative class member objects opt pursue actual damages available statutory penalty individual action see mendez radec wdny brzychnalski unesco supp sdny see also alexander practice commentaries even statutory penalty minimum recovery involved courts hold waived thus confining class recovery actual damages eliminating bar cplr manner second circuit explained rule procedural requirements class actions applied along substantive requirement cplr sum phrased responsive question whether certain class actions may begin unmistakably aimed controlling actions must end remedial issue rule silent doubt whether rule leaves control remedial issue core case dispelled erie jurisprudence including hanna counsels us read federal rules moderately cautions stretching rule cover every situation conceivably reason read rule addressing whether claims made eligible class treatment law certified class actions ante contrary palmer ragan cohen walker gasperini semtek provide good reason look law creates right recover see supra plainly accurate statement stake reason read rule authorizing claim relief state created remedy disallows pursuit behalf class none answer federal system give notably new york alone effort contain penalties minimum recoveries disallowing class relief congress precluded class treatment certain claims seeking statutorily designated minimum recovery see truth lending act case class action minimum recovery shall applicable electronic fund transfer act expedited fund availability act today judgment denies full power congress keep certain monetary awards within reasonable bounds cf beard kindler slip light federalism comity concerns seem particularly strange disregard state rules substantially similar give full force may hesitate create determinate statutory penalties future impotent prevent distortion remedy finding conflict without considering whether rule rationally read avoid collision unwisely unnecessarily retreats federalism principles undergirding erie reflected respect state regulatory interests endorsed decisions found cause interpret rule woodenly every reason cf traynor tex bad enough courts prattle unintelligibly choice law unforgiveable inquiry might revealed real ii perceive unavoidable conflict rule decide case inquiring whether application state rule important effect upon fortunes one litigants failure apply likely cause plaintiff choose federal hanna see gasperini seeking pretermit inquiry shady grove urges bar must regarded procedural contained cplr govern procedure civil judicial proceedings courts state brief petitioner quoting cplr emphasis original placement cplr hardly dispositive provision held substantive erie purposes gasperini also contained cplr limitations periods et prescriptions plainly substantive erie purposes however may characterized purposes see york see also restatement second conflict laws reporter note hereinafter restatement rule erie federal courts classified burden persuasion contributory negligence matter substantive law governed rule state sit even though courts state characterized rule procedural purposes cook substance procedure conflict laws yale shady grove also ranks procedural nothing statute suggests limited rights action based new york state law opposed federal law law instead applies actions seeking penalties statute brief petitioner see also ante stevens concurring part concurring judgment section understood rule serves function defining new york rights remedies text expressly unambiguously applies claims based new york law also claims based federal law law true specifically limited claims arising new york law neither expressly extended claims arising foreign law rule prescribes without elaboration either way action recover penalty may maintained class action often recognized general words appearing statute may fact limited application words person persons example broad enough comprehend every human general words must limited cases within jurisdiction state also objects legislature intended apply palmer wheat opinion marshall see also small law legislature uses statutory phrase person may may mean include outside jurisdiction state internal quotation marks omitted flora term sum catchall phrase say define moreover shady grove overlooks likely explanation absence limiting language new york legislators make law new york plaintiffs defendants mind new york universe see baxter choice law federal system stan rev awmakers often speak universal terms must understood speak reference constituents cf smith presumption extraterritoriality rooted part commonsense notion congress generally legislates domestic concerns mind point well put brainerd currie seminal article governmental interest analysis laws cases article centers massachusetts law prevented married women binding contract sureties husbands discussing whether massachusetts prescription applied transactions involving foreign factors foreign forum foreign place contracting foreign parties currie observed massachusetts legislature addresses problem married women sureties undeveloped image mind massachusetts married women husbands creditors transactions courts judgments history law domestic case normal case marginal married women contracts study method chi rev emphasis added shady grove suggestion must specifically limit laws domestic rights action wish enactments apply federal diversity litigation misses obvious point state legislators generally focus interstate setting drafting shady grove also observes new york applied federal claim relief telephone consumer protection act tcpa see rudgayzer gratt cape canaveral tour travel app div thus revealing procedural cast brief petitioner note first tcpa calls application state law see rudgayzer app div federal action authorized state otherwise permitted laws rules state quoting see also gottlieb carnival sotomayor congress sought via tcpa enact functional equivalent state tcpa connecticut recognized thus carves exception th general rule erie reversed state hearing federal case normally required apply federal substantive law state substantive law determines preliminary matter whether federal action act may brought state weber sterling securities tcpa action governed new york substantive law applied even though claim pursued connecticut state moreover statutes qualify substantive erie purposes even procedural thrusts well see cohen cf woods interstate realty holding diversity case must dismissed based state statute terms governed proceedings state statutes limitations exemplary supply substantive law diversity suits see york even though shady grove acknowledges state courts often apply forum limitations period procedural bar claims arising law another state see reply brief tr oral arg see also restatement adjudicating foreign cause action state may use either foreign jurisdiction statute limitations whichever shorter similarly federal courts sitting diversity give effect state laws governing burden proving contributory negligence see palmer hoffman yet state courts adjudicating foreign causes action often apply local law issue see restatement reporter note short shady grove effort characterize simply procedural successfully elide fundamental norm federal law rule dispositive issue state statute outcome affective sense cases erie develop rules decision act commands application state law diversity suits gasperini hanna york case starkly demonstrates federal courts exercising diversity jurisdiction compelled rule award statutory penalties class actions new york courts bound proscription substantial variations state federal money judgments may expected gasperini quoting hanna internal quotation marks omitted variation indeed substantial shady grove seeks class relief ten thousand times greater individual remedy available state plurality acknowledges ante forum shopping undoubtedly result plaintiff need file federal instead state seek massive monetary award explicitly barred state law see gasperini erie precludes recovery federal significantly larger recovery tolerated state accident diversity citizenship klaxon stentor elec mfg subject defendant augmented liability see hanna erie rule rooted part realization unfair character result litigation materially differ suit brought federal beyond debate statutory cap damages supply substantive law erie purposes gasperini see also stevens dissenting ceiling allowable damages substantive rule decision federal courts must apply diversity cases governed new york law scalia dissenting state substantive law controls injuries compensable gasperini determined new york standard measuring alleged excessiveness jury verdict designed provide control analogous damages cap statute framed procedural instruction noted state objective wa manifestly substantive ibid gasperini observations apply full force case barring recovery statutory damages class action controls defendant maximum liability suit seeking remedy remedial provision written explicit cap class action seeking statutory damages relief limited amount named plaintiff recovered individual suit new york legislature used words express meaning inconsequential long recognized impropriety displacing diversity action limitations remedies see woods diversity case plaintiff barred recovery state likewise barred federal york federal sitting diversity afford recovery right recover made unavailable state substantively affect enforcement right given state erie precludes federal entering deficiency judgment state authoritatively announced judgments secured within borders angel bullington erie prevent federal awarding statutory penalties aggregated class action new york prohibits recovery see also ragan local law qualifies abridges claim federal must follow suit otherwise different measure cause action one principle erie sum new york substantive law governs claim relief new york law guide allowable damages gasperini iii erosion erie federalism grounding impels point large irony today judgment shady grove able pursue claim federal virtue recent enactment class action fairness act cafa cafa congress opened doors class actions long minimal diversity least class members least controversy ibid providing federal forum congress sought check considered overreadiness state courts certify class actions see cafa prevents lawyers gam ing procedural rules keep nationwide class actions state courts whose judges reputations readily certifying classes internal quotation marks omitted disapproving never met class action like approach class certification prevalent state courts localities words congress envisioned fewer class actions overall congress surely never anticipated cafa make federal courts mecca suits kind shady grove launched class actions seeking penalties claims arising state law claims barred class treatment state courts cf woods policy erie preclude maintenance federal suits state ha closed courts continue approach erie questions manner mindful purposes underlying rules decision act rules enabling act faithful precedent respectful important state interests therefore hold new york legislature limitation recovery statutory damages applies case affirm second circuit judgment footnotes civ prac law ann west provides one members class may sue sued representative parties behalf class numerous joinder members whether otherwise required permitted impracticable questions law fact common class predominate questions affecting individual members claims defenses representative parties typical claims defenses class representative parties fairly adequately protect interests class class action superior available methods fair efficient adjudication controversy unless statute creating imposing penalty minimum measure recovery specifically authorizes recovery thereof class action action recover penalty minimum measure recovery created imposed statute may maintained class action rule provides prerequisites one members class may sue sued representative parties behalf members class numerous joinder members impracticable questions law fact common class claims defenses representative parties typical claims defenses class representative parties fairly adequately protect interests class subsection says class action may maintained rule satisfied suit falls one three described categories irrelevant present purposes shady grove asserted jurisdiction relaxes class actions seeking least million rule aggregating separate claims calculation amount controversy see exxon mobil allapattah services contrary dissent implication post express view whether state laws set ceiling damages recoverable single suit see app brief respondent whether laws conflict rule conflict addresses remedy procedural right maintain class action allstate dissent note several federal statutes also limit recovery available class actions see congress plenary power override federal rules enactments unlike prevail even case conflict see asher abbott app div treble damages gen bus law nonwaivable wherefore class actions law barred decision walker armco steel discussed dissent post contrary held rule provides federal civil action filing complaint federal displace state law providing action shall deemed commenced within meaning article statute limitations defendant date summons served quoting okla tit alteration original emphasis added rule explained governs date various timing requirements federal rules begin run affect state statutes limitations tolling rules purpor displace texts therefore conflict opinion observed state rule state judgment integral part several policies served statute limitations nothing decision suggested federal may resolve obvious conflict texts state federal rules resorting state law ostensible objectives dissent also suggests read federal rules sensitivity important state avoid conflict important state regulatory policies post quoting gasperini center humanities search state interests policies important standardless important substantial criterion rejected sibbach wilson define rights federal rule may abridge dissent means read ambiguous federal rule avoid substantial variations outcomes state federal litigation semtek lockheed martin internal quotation marks omitted entirely agree avoid doubt rule validity since federal rule fails erie test ipso facto invalid see hanna plumer reasonable assume congress concerned avoid significant differences state federal courts adjudicating claims stewart organization ricoh scalia dissenting assumption irrelevant however one reasonable reading rule cases chronicled dissent see post involved federal rule concluded fairly read control issue addressed pertinent state law thus avoiding direct collision federal state law walker internal quotation marks omitted hanna supra collision unavoidable concurrence claims sibbach occasion consider whether particular application federal rules question offend enabling act post sibbach applying concurrence theory quite true demonstrates inconsistent theory sibbach conformity rules enabling act issue sibbach decided petitioner position rules exceeded enabling act authorization faced rejected argument proceeded reverse lower failing apply rule correctly clearer rejection theory concurrence advocates concurrence responds specific question obligation federal courts apply substantive law post quoting sibbach supra clear context however passage referred erie prohibition rules displace state law opinion unquestionably dealt federal rules compliance adopted standard apply resolve question depend whether individual applications rule abridge modify rights see extent sibbach address federal rules validity contrary state law hanna surely see made clear sibbach test still controls see concurrence insists misread sibbach since surely federal rule cases regulates procedure displaces one rare state substantive laws disguised rules procedure post mistakes federal rule regulates incidental effects explained supra rules effect litigants substantive rights ability obtain remedy mean rule regulates rights remedies concurrence approach however unfaithful statute terms section bans abridgement modification substantive rights concurrence prohibit procedural rules intimately bound scope substantive right remedy post allow force wide array parochial procedures federal courts long sufficiently intertwined state right remedy post concurrence implies sibbach slipped desuetude apparently lack sufficient citations see post unaware rule effect holding expires case setting forth periodically revalidated event concurrence account shunning sibbach greatly exaggerated hanna merely cite case recognized establishing governing rule mississippi publishing murphree likewise cited sibbach applied test examining federal rule state law displaced true burlington northern woods matter business guides chromatic communications enterprises cite sibbach cited followed hanna noted held sibbach setting forth governing rule see burlington northern supra business guides supra thus sibbach may appear infrequently reports rule particular focus federal rule proper unit analysis alive well contrast hanna obscure obiter dictum need wholly blind federal rule effect case outcome concurrence invokes twice post never resurfaced opinions years since first unfortunate utterance cast doubt sibbach straightforward test concurrence notes hanna cited sibbach statement showing saw inconsistency two concurrence correct post disposition rule really regulates procedure sibbach supra conflicting state rule however bound latter substantive law concurrence wrong however result proves interpretation implausible post result troubling one stretches term substantive rights mean rights also procedures closely connected neither text precedent supports expansive interpretation examples concurrence offers statutes limitations burdens proof standards appellate review damages awards make broad definition substantive rights persuasive merely illustrate rare cases may difficult determine whether rule really regulates procedure substance one concludes latter state rule federal rule invalid concurrence concern make sense many federal rules effectively alter rights bound procedures survive sibbach concurrence concedes post possible existence outlier instances prove sibbach interpretation absurd congress may well accepted anomalies price uniform system federal procedure concurrence argues approach taxing federal rules facially valid enabling act fail concurrence test post conclusion reached federal courts considered hundreds state rules applying concurrence inscrutable standard concurrence insists task easier courts conside nature functions state law post regardless law form post emphasis deleted law actually says think amorphous inquiry nature functions state law tend increase rather decrease difficulty classifying federal rules substantive procedural walking concurrence application test post gives little reason hope approach lighten burden lower courts footnotes see also gasperini center humanities chemerinsky federal jurisdiction ed hereinafter chemerinsky moore et moore federal practice ed hereinafter moore erie choice requires consider twin aims erie rule discouragement avoidance inequitable administration laws hanna plumer see also gasperini describing erie inquiry see chemerinsky observing courts struggled develop approach permits uniform procedural rules applied federal still allowing state substantive law govern cf milam state farm mut auto ins posner holding state furtherance substantive policy makes difficult prove particular type claim rule even denominated rule evidence cast evidentiary terms given effect diversity suit expression state substantive policy moore listing examples federal courts apply state evidentiary rules diversity suits examples include burdens proof thus agree justice ginsburg post federal rule like federal law must interpreted light many different considerations including sensitivity important state interests post regulatory policies post see stewart organization ricoh scalia dissenting assume fair congress concerned avoid significant differences state federal courts adjudicating claims thus deciding whether federal rule procedure encompasses particular issue broad reading create significant disuniformity state federal courts avoided text permits disagree justice ginsburg however degree meaning federal rules may contorted absent congressional authorization accommodate state policy goals see also ortiz fibreboard adopting limiting construction federal rule civil procedure inter alia minimizes potential conflict rules enabling act amchem products windsor observing federal rules must interpreted keeping rules enabling act instructs rules procedure abridge enlarge modify substantive understanding enabling act subject substantial academic criticism rightfully see wright ely irrepressible myth erie harv rev hereinafter ely see also fallon manning meltzer shapiro hart wechsler federal courts federal system ed discussing ely justice scalia concedes much see ante argues insofar allow possibility federal rule might violate enabling act displaces seemingly procedural state rule approach unfaithful statute terms cover substantive rights procedural rules ante internal quotation marks omitted objection interpretation enabling act courts must look whether federal rule alters substantive rights given case simply way apply allowing possibility state rule regulates something traditionally considered procedural might actually define substantive right justice scalia objection moreover misses key point instances state rule appears procedural really rule damages reviewed appeal may really damages cap see gasperini rule plaintiff bring claim three years may really limit existence right seek redress rule claim must proved beyond reasonable doubt may really definition scope claim sorts rules one might describe procedural nonetheless define substantive rights thus federal rule displaced state rule federal rule altered state substantive rights plurality interpretation enabling act appears mean matter bound state provision state rights remedies contrary federal rule happens regulate manner means litigants rights enforced ante internal quotation marks omitted must govern many ways seemingly procedural rules may displace state formulation substantive law example statutes limitations although sense procedural rules also understood temporal limitation legally created rights promulgate federal limitations period federal courts still instances required apply state limitations periods similarly federal rules altered burden proof case eviscerate critical aspect albeit one deals right enforced state framework rights remedies federal rule appellate review displaced state rule damages reviewed appeal federal rule might state damages cap cf gasperini justice scalia responds federal rules might invalid view enabling act may really regulat procedure ante internal quotation marks omitted response course highlights empty plurality test really see infra response also limited rules described regulat ing substance ante address federal rules alter right issue litigation see sibbach wilson displace particular state laws justice scalia speculates congress may well accepted occasional alteration substantive rights price uniform system federal procedure ante forced speculate balance congress struck might well agree speculation necessary congress explicitly told us federal rules shall alter substantive right rare federal rule facially valid displace state definition substantive rights see wright observing unusual cases occasionally might arise unorthodox state rule law application civil rule intrude upon state substantive rights justice scalia interpretation moreover much determinative mine although avoids courts evaluate state law tasks figuring whether federal rule really procedural hard know answer question especially hard resolve without considering nature functions state law federal rule displace plurality test sense little statement matter procedural revelation procedural petitioner sibbach argued federal rules validly address subjects involving important questions policy supp brief petitioner see also reply brief respondent summarizing petitioner argued right compelled submit physical examination right forbidden congress addressed federal rules civil procedure even though theory right character determinative litigation petitioner words contention involve applicable law illinois petitioner briefing referenced otherwise applicable state law show position make contention show federal applying federal rule rules decision act applying state law see plurality defends view including long quote two paragraphs sibbach ante quoted passage sibbach describes facial inquiry whether federal rules may deal particular subject matter plurality block quote moreover omits half one quoted paragraphs explained term substantive rights enabling act certainly embraces rights rights conferred law protected enforced right injured one person another negligence redress infraction ibid whether federal rule example enlarges right redress infraction depend state law displaces put another way even federal rule cases really regulates procedure sibbach really regulat procedure displaces rare state rules although procedural ordinary sense term operate define rights remedies available case procedural one context may substantive another see hanna guaranty trust york although decision hanna cited sibbach little significance hanna hold seemingly procedural federal rule always govern even alters substantive state right sibbach argument make indeed hanna cited sibbach statement enabling act prohibits federal rules alter rights adjudicated litigants proposition measuring federal rule standards contained enabling act need wholly blind degree rule makes character result federal litigation stray course follow state courts subsequent decisions squarely addressed framework applying federal rules diversity cases mentioned sibbach cited hanna see burlington northern woods justice scalia notes mississippi publishing murphree used language supported view see ante case contemplated federal rule question might incidental effects upon rights litigants explaining fact application rule operate subject petitioner rights adjudication district northern mississippi rather southern mississippi undoubtedly affect rights suggestion affecting method enforcing rights case federal rules plausibly abridge enlarge modify rights see follows dissent premises class certified dissent contends damages limitation post proscription post whereas rule command particular remedy available party sues representative capacity post consequently provisions apply yet even dissent premises correct rule still control question whether petitioner may certify class relevant determine whether petitioner conclusion lawsuit may collect statutory damages may dissent interpretation correct class alleged sufficient damages federal jurisdiction see issue raised respondent motion dismiss case comes squarely presented event although lead plaintiff acknowledged individual claim less required amount controversy see know actual damages entire class allege thus even adopt dissent premises believe correct disposition vacate remand consideration whether required amount controversy met erie analysis dissent observes sovereigns create laws enacting legislatures sometimes assume laws apply within territory see post true fact much work dissent position one thing dissent observes erie analysis relevant conflict rule thus apply post view rule applies question whether violate enabling act see hanna inquiry different rules decision act erie inquiry see dissent citations moreover highlight simply interpreting statutes context matters thus sometimes presume laws cover domestic conduct sometimes depending upon inter alia whether makes sense given situation assume character act lawful unlawful must determined wholly law place act done american banana fruit context presumption extraterritoriality makes little sense presumption applies almost laws governing people section however directed conduct persons instead directed new york courts thus terms extraterritorial insofar governs new york courts possible new york legislature simply realize new york courts hear claims sources law courts hear claims new york law therefore mistakenly believed written limit new york remedies new york set general rule courts operate strong presumption contrary sure one imagine converse story legislature create statutory penalties dictate penalties apply necessary overcome costs inconvenience filing lawsuit thus necessary class action hard see narrative applies new york given new york penalty provisions face apply plaintiffs class individual addresses penalties created source state federal law justice ginsburg asserts class certification matter transform case award post fact class certification transform cases one case may without class certification potential plaintiffs bring cases true procedural vehicle without lower filing fee conveniently located courthouse federal procedural rules many features federal courts many plaintiffs sue footnotes rules decision act directs laws several except constitution treaties acts congress otherwise require provide shall regarded rules decision civil actions courts cases apply justice stevens stakes common ground point ederal rules observes must interpreted degree important state interests regulatory policies applied diversity cases background congress command rules alter substantive rights consideration degree rule makes character result federal litigation stray course follow state courts hanna plumer ante opinion concurring part concurring judgment see also ante procedural rule though undeniably procedural ordinary sense term may exist influence substantive outcomes may instances become bound right remedy defines scope substantive right remedy internal quotation marks omitted ante state chooses use traditionally procedural vehicle means defining scope substantive rights remedies federal courts must recognize respect nevertheless justice stevens sees reason read rule restraint particular case federal rule preempts new york damages limitation view procedural rule part new york substantive law ante characterization mirror reality later explain see infra majority bears emphasis agrees federal rules read moderation diversity suits accommodate important state concerns even case class action result potentially ruinous liability advisory committee notes fed rule civ proc decision certify class accordingly places pressure defendant settle even unmeritorious claims see coopers lybrand livesay representative plaintiffs seek statutory damages pressure settle may heightened class action poses risk massive liability unmoored actual injury see ratner chemical bank new york trust sdny exercising considerable discretion pragmatic nature refuse certify class plaintiffs suffered negligible actual damages sought statutory damages see automotive refinishing paint antitrust litigation supp ed leider ralfe supp sdny dornberger metropolitan life insurance sdny see also weber sterling securities section applied connecticut state action governed new york substantive law shady grove projects dispensation favor allstate require courts diversity class actions look state rules decisional law rather rule making class certification decisions brief petitioner projection familiar false cf bork tempting america judges lawyers live slippery slope analogies supposed ski case cplr lists prerequisites class certification allstate contend overrides rule brief respondent dispute criteria class certification state law apply federal ground squarely occupied rule federal courts sitting diversity routinely applied rule certification standards rather comparable state provisions see new motor vehicles canadian export antitrust litigation order reasons katrina canal breaches consolidated litigation civ action ed disputes strength evidence legislative intent see ante offers alternative account purpose perhaps silence indicates hard ascribe purpose bound fairness efficiency processing cases face proscription concerned remedies availability statutory damages lawsuit legislative history confirms objective essential revealing course difference justly administering remedy sibbach wilson prescribing content remedy rule read increase plaintiff recovery greater amount rule arguably enlarge substantive right violation rules enabling act plurality appears acknowledge point stating federal rules found compliance act altered available remedies ante relentless reading rule today exactly federal rule says authorizes recovery statutory damages even though new york provision instructs penalties shall available rewrite state law reflect perception legislative purpose ante course interpret federal rules light state regulatory policy decide whether extent rule preempts state law see supra read federal rule walker armco steel govern suit commences purposes tolling state statute limitations although rule indisputably controls action commences federal procedural purposes read rule direct class action may maintained purposes recovering statutory damages prescribed state law reading rule rewriting necessary avoid conflict new york legislature appears anticipated result discussing remedial bar effected bill sponsor explained statutory class action actual damages still permissible fink sponsor memorandum bill jacket ch see also state consumer protection board memorandum may bill jacket ch understanding new york courts routinely authorize class actions class waives right receive statutory penalties see cox microsoft app div pesantez boyle env app div ridge meadows homeowners tara development app div super glue avis rent car system app div weinberg hertz app div plurality notes rejected every statutory challenge federal rule come us ante omits interpreted rules due restraint including rule thus diminishing prospects success challenges see ortiz fibreboard amchem products windsor supra adopted variety formulations limit use class actions gain certain remedies pursue certain claims illustrated examples listed allstate brief apps brief respondent reading rule ante likely prevents enforcement statutes diversity actions including numerous state statutory provisions like attempt curb recovery statutory damages see cal civ code ann west rev stat ann stat haw rev stat ind code rev stat ann west mass laws ch comp laws ann west stat ann lexis ohio rev code ann west okla tit supp wyo stat ann iii shady grove argument procedural based possible application foreign claims also sync erie decisions many involving state statutes similarly unqualified scope new jersey law issue cohen beneficial industrial loan example required plaintiffs post bond security costs stockholder derivative action quoting laws ch emphasis added see also walker oklahoma statute deemed action commenced purposes statute limitations upon service summons quoting okla tit characterization state statute substantive erie purposes never hinged whether law applied domestic causes action contrary ranked substantive variety state laws state courts apply federal claims including statutes limitations prescriptions see infra contrast many state rules ostensibly addressed procedure ante majority opinion including pleading standards rules governing summary judgment pretrial discovery admissibility certain evidence hugely impact forum choices difficult imagine scenario promote forum shopping one difference filing state federal difference potential award one question federal courts give effect substantive thrust without untoward alteration federal scheme trial decision civil cases gasperini risk individual plaintiffs seeking statutory penalties flood federal courts claims managed efficiently class basis diversity statute requirement ensures small disputes remain state remains open congress course exclude jurisdiction class action fairness act claims maintained class action state