Courthouse Steps Decision: Wilkins v. United States

On March 28, 2023, the Supreme Court handed down its decision in Wilkins v. United States. The case involves a suit by neighbors to quiet title over a road easement that the United States interprets as allowing for public use. The United States argued the claim was jurisdictionally barred by the the Federal Quiet Title Act’s 12-year time limit. The Court held that the Act’s statute of limitations is a nonjurisdictional claims-processing rule because a procedural requirement is only jurisdictional if Congress clearly states that it is. Justice Clarence Thomas, joined by Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito, dissented and would have held the time-bar jurisdictional because it is a waiver of sovereign immunity.Jeffrey W. McCoy, attorney at the Pacific Legal Foundation, joined us for a courthouse steps decision teleforum moderated by Adam Griffin.Featuring: --Jeffrey McCoy, Attorney, Pacific Legal Foundation--Moderator: Adam Griffin, Law Clerk, US District Courts