Plain-English summary
Court says Rule 60(b)(1) covers legal mistakes but Kemp's claim was untimely
The Court held that the word “mistake” in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b)(1) covers a district court’s legal error. Because Dexter Kemp sought relief more than a year after the judgment, his motion was barred by Rule 60(c)’s one‑year deadline and the Court affirmed the lower court.
Why this matters
This decision clarifies that parties can ask a court to reopen a final civil judgment when a judge made a legal error, but it also underscores that such requests must meet the procedural time limit. The ruling affects litigants who missed deadlines and want review of legal mistakes in final judgments.
Who may feel it
- Civil litigants who seek to reopen final judgments
- Lawyers and federal trial judges
- Appellate courts that review Rule 60 motions
- People in federal post-judgment proceedings
Key questions
- Does the term "mistake" in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b)(1) cover a district court's error of law?