“When You Got Nothing, You Got Nothing to Lose”

Recently, in a 5-4 opinion, the Court held in Spring Communications Co. L.P. v. APCC Services, Inc., No. 07-552, that a plaintiff that has been assigned the right to pursue a legal claim has standing under Article III, even though he stands to gain no proceeds from the outcome of the litigation. The entire relief requested would run to a party not before the court. Chief Justice Roberts wrote a dissenting opinion stating, “There is a legal difference between something and nothing.” He then quotes Bob Dylan: “When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose.”

To read more about the decision handed down by the Court, read this article on SCOTUS blog.  --Counseller/nc