This variable specifies the treatment the court whose decision the Supreme Court reviewed accorded the decision of the court it reviewed; e.g., whether the court below the Supreme Court—typically a federal court of appeals or a state supreme court—affirmed, reversed, remanded, etc. the decision of the court it reviewed—typically a trial court.

lcDisposition will not contain an entry if the decision the Supreme Court reviewed is that of a trial court or if the case arose under the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction (see the jurisdiction variable). The former occurs frequently in the legacy data.

The decision rules governing this information follow:

1. We adhere to the language used in the “holding” in the summary of the case on the title page or prior to Part I of the Court’s opinion. Exceptions to the literal language are the following:

2. Where the Court overrules the lower court, we treat this a petition or motion granted.

3. Where the court whose decision the Supreme Court is reviewing refuses to enforce or enjoins the decision of the court, tribunal, or agency which it reviewed, we treat this as reversed.

4. Where the court whose decision the Supreme Court is reviewing enforces the decision of the court, tribunal, or agency which it reviewed, we treat this as affirmed.

5. Where the court whose decision the Supreme Court is reviewing sets aside the decision of the court, tribunal, or agency which it reviewed, we treat this as vacated; if the decision is set aside and remanded, we treat it as vacated and remanded.

Also see disposition of case and direction of the lower court’s decision (lcDispositionDirection).