Sibbach v. Wilson & Co.

After Hertha Sibbach (plaintiff) sued Wilson & Co. (defendant) for negligence from an automobile accident, the court granted Wilson's motion under Federal Rule 35 compelling Sibbach to submit to a physical examination; when she refused, she was held in contempt under Rule 37, and the Seventh Circuit affirmed. Sibbach petitioned the Supreme Court, arguing Rules 35 and 37 exceeded Congress's delegation of rulemaking authority to the Court under the Rules Enabling Act, which limits that authority to procedural (not substantive) matters.