

The Fourth Circuit reversed finding that the new judge abused its discretion in reconsidering the prior judge’s order. The Fourth Circuit did not find any new evidence justifying reconsideration nor clear error.

This is because, while Rule 54(b) gives a district court discretion to revisit earlier rulings in the same case, such discretion is subject to the caveat that where litigants have once battled for the court’s decision, they should neither be required, nor without good reason permitted, to battle for it again.” Id. at *14 (internal quotation marks and citations omitted). The Fourth Circuit advised, “the discretion afforded by Rule 54(b) is not limitless, and we have cabined revision pursuant to Rule 54(b) by treating interlocutory rulings as law of the case. The new judge reevaluated the evidence presented, “took a view of the evidence that differed from” the original judge’s, and granted the motion for reconsideration. After the original judge retired, one of the parties moved to reconsider the prior judge’s order based on “substantially different evidence” discovered during litigation and “clear error causing manifest injustice.” Id. at *14.

3, 2018),, where the court reversed a district court judge who reconsidered an order by another district court judge. Big South Wholesale of Virginia, LLC, No. The Fourth Circuit published an opinion in U.S. Litigants should be wary of asking the court to reconsider a prior order if these grounds are not clearly present. The court must consider competing interests of judicial economy and law of the case doctrine, which require the court to move forward with litigation so that there is a prompt and efficient resolution. Allowing parties to challenge issues that were already decided defeats these goals and wastes client, attorney, and judicial resources.

So, you have received a decision from the court and you are disappointed. The judge did not see the issue your way and denied your motion. You believe that the court missed something that should have resulted in your favor. Do you move to reconsider?Ī motion for reconsideration is not specifically provided for under the Rules of Civil Procedure, but it is a common tool used by litigants. Is Reconsideration An Option? Septemby Phoebe Coddington
