Brillhart v. Excess Ins. Co. - 316 U.S. 491 (1942)

U.S. Supreme Court

Brillhart v. Excess Ins. Co., 316 U.S. 491 (1942)

Brillhart v. Excess Ins. Company of America

No. 772

Argued April 8, 1942

Decided June 1, 1942

316 U.S. 491

Syllabus

Before dismissing a suit brought under the Federal Declaratory Judgments Act and presenting only local questions, upon the ground that another suit involving the same subject matter and between the same parties is pending in a state court, the federal court must determine, in the first instance, whether the claims set up by the plaintiff have been foreclosed by local law, or can adequately be tested in the suit in the state court. P. 316 U. S. 495.

121 F.2d 776 reversed.

Certiorari, 314 U.S. 606, to review a decree which reversed a decree of the District Court dismissing a bill filed under the Federal Declaratory Judgments Act.

Page 316 U. S. 492