Third Circuit Articulates Its Definition of Fraud upon the Court
The Third Circuit in Herring v. U.S., 424 F.3d 384 (3d Cir. Sep. 22, 2005) for the first time announed its standards for assessing fraud upon the court claims:
Actions for fraud upon the court are so rare that this Court has not previously had the occasion to articulate a legal definition of the concept. The concept of fraud upon the court challenges the very principle upon which our judicial system is based: the finality of a judgment. The presumption against the reopening of a case that has gone through the appellate process all the way to the United States Supreme Court and reached final judgment must be not just a high hurdle to climb but a steep cliff-face to scale.
In order to meet the necessarily demanding standard for proof of fraud upon the court we conclude that there must be: (1) an intentional fraud; (2) by an officer of the court; (3) which is directed at the court itself; and (4) in fact deceives the court. We further conclude that a determination of fraud on the court may be justified only by "the most egregious misconduct directed to the court itself," and that it "must be supported by clear, unequivocal and convincing evidence." In re Coordinated Pretrial Proceedings in Antibiotic Antitrust Actions, 538 F.2d 180, 195 (8th Cir.1976) (citations omitted).
posted by A. Benjamin Spencer @ 8:29 AM
3 comments
3 Comments:
Perhaps your honor, actions regarding fraud upon the court are rare because it harms the judical process and the victims so severely. Fraud upon the court may not be rare, but instead effective remedy the true scarcity.
You are correct. Attorneys and judges commit fraud more often than is known...so often in fact that it is considered par -for -the -course in the legal arena. it's wrong, and it needs to be policed more vigorously. Pro se litigants are the most vulnerable victims of this behavior,and courtsand judges need to be extra careful in preventingit.
The Third Circuit's recent articulation of its definition of fraud upon the court is a significant development in legal jurisprudence. This clarification is crucial for understanding how serious misconduct affecting the integrity of the judicial process is identified and addressed. By delineating what constitutes such fraud, the court aims to uphold the fairness and reliability of the legal system. For law students and professionals keeping up with these developments, managing study schedules and comprehending complex rulings can be challenging. Utilizing online exam takers can be an effective strategy to ensure they stay on top of their academic and professional commitments while navigating these intricate legal concepts.
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