Final Judgment Rule (28 U.S.C. § 1291)

Definition

The general federal rule that courts of appeals may only review 'final decisions' of district courts — meaning a party normally must wait until the entire case is over before appealing any ruling. The collateral order doctrine is a narrow exception to this rule.

Examples

• •The Tenth Circuit dismissed GEO's appeal because the denial of Yearsley protection was not a 'final decision' and did not qualify for the collateral order exception.

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