American Pipe & Construction Co. v. Utah
United States Supreme Court
414 U.S. 538 (1974)
- Written by Robert Cane, JD
Facts
The State of Utah (plaintiff) brought a civil action against American Pipe & Construction Co. (American Pipe) (defendant). The state alleged that American Pipe restrained trade in steel and concrete pipes by submitting collusive and rigged bids in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act. Utah brought the suit as a class action, representing those public bodies and agencies of the state and local governments of Utah who were end users of pipe from American Pipe and representing other states who had not filed similar actions. American Pipe moved for an order that the suit could not be maintained as a class action, which was granted. Over 60 towns, municipalities, and water districts (the plaintiff group) within Utah filed motions to intervene as plaintiffs after class-action status was denied. The district court denied the motions to intervene, finding that the statute of limitations had run. The plaintiff group appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Stewart, J.)
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