Microsoft Corp. v. Baker
United States Supreme Court
137 S. Ct. 1702 (2017)
Seth Baker (plaintiff) filed a class action against Microsoft Corporation (defendant), alleging its Xbox console destroyed game discs, but the district court denied class certification. Unable to immediately appeal that denial under the final judgment rule, Baker stipulated to voluntary dismissal of his individual claims with prejudice and then appealed only the class-certification ruling. The Ninth Circuit found it had jurisdiction to hear that appeal, and the Supreme Court granted certiorari to decide whether this voluntary-dismissal tactic creates appellate jurisdiction.
Whether federal courts of appeals have jurisdiction under the final judgment rule to review an order denying class certification after the plaintiffs have voluntarily dismissed their claims with prejudice.