Class action arbitration
AT&T Mobility v. Concepcion
In brief
The Supreme Court said federal arbitration law overrides California's Discover Bank rule and overturned the lower court's ruling.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided 5-4 · April 27, 2011 · Opinion by Justice Thomas
- What it’s about
- The dispute concerned whether California could make an arbitration agreement enforceable only if it allowed class-wide arbitration.
- Who it affects
- California cannot use its Discover Bank rule to refuse enforcement of arbitration agreements because they bar class-wide proceedings.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The Supreme Court ruled that federal arbitration law overrides California’s Discover Bank rule, overturned the lower court’s ruling, and sent the case back (remanded).
The Federal Arbitration Act governs arbitration agreements, while California's Discover Bank rule limited enforcement of some agreements that barred class-wide arbitration.
Question presented
Does the FAA preempt states from conditioning the enforcement of an arbitration agreement on the availability of class-wide arbitration procedures?
What the Court decided
Holding
Because it “stands as an obstacle to the accomplishment and execution of the full purposes and objectives of Congress,” Hines v. Davidowitz, 312 U. S. 52, 67, California’s Discover Bank rule is preempted by the FAA. 584 F. 3d 849, reversed and remanded.
- Result
- Reversed
The Court's reasoning
The Court said California's rule got in the way of Congress's goals for the Federal Arbitration Act, so federal law overrides it.
The vote
What's next
The case goes back to the lower court for further proceedings under the Supreme Court's ruling.
Documents
Opinions
Audio
Docket activity
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Impact Analysis
AI analysis generated: Opinion Summary
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AI analysis generated: Decision Record
Case data updated: summary, question_presented, generation_metadata
Case data updated: question_presented, extraction_metadata
Audio Recording added: Oral Arguments - Concepcion
Opinion added: Concepcion
More questions
- What did Justice Breyer argue?
- He argued that California's rule fit the federal law's language and purpose, rather than getting in the way of them.
Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.