Supreme Court of the United States
Board of School Commissioners of the City of Indianapolis v. Jacobs
February 18, 1975420 U.S. 128
Summary
The Supreme Court held that the case was moot because the named plaintiffs had graduated and the district court had failed to properly certify the class under Federal Rule 23(c), so the judgment of the Court of Appeals was vacated and the case remanded for further proceedings. The Court emphasized that without adequate class certification there is no live controversy. Justice Douglas, dissenting, argued that the case should not be dismissed as moot and that the class was effectively certified.
Holding
- Whether the case is moot because the named plaintiffs have graduated and the class action was not properly certified under Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(c).. The case is moot; the lack of adequate compliance with Rule 23(c) eliminates a live controversy, so the judgment is vacated and the case remanded.
Docket 73-1347