PHH filed its reply brief with the D.C. Circuit on April 10 in the en banc rehearing of the PHH case. We have blogged extensively about the case since its inception. Central to the case is whether the CFPB’s single-director-removable-only-for-cause structure is constitutional. Of course, the CFPB fiercely defends its structure, while PHH, the DOJ, and others argue that the CFPB’s structure epitomizes Congressional usurpation of executive power in violation of the constitution’s separation of powers principles.… Continue Reading
DOJ seeks leave to participate in PHH en banc rehearing oral argument
The Department of Justice, with the consent of PHH and the CFPB, has filed an unopposed motion with the D.C. Circuit requesting ten minutes of argument time in the oral argument to be held on May 24, 2017 in the rehearing en banc in the PHH case.
The DOJ filed an amicus brief in which it agreed with PHH’s position that the CFPB’s structure is unconstitutional but advocated a more limited remedial measure than PHH is seeking. … Continue Reading
Trump’s DOJ supports striking Cordray’s removable-only-for-cause protection from Dodd-Frank
The DOJ submitted its amicus brief in the PHH case on Friday, March 17. We have blogged extensively about this case since its inception. Unsurprisingly, the Trump DOJ supports striking from Dodd-Frank the removal-only-for-cause protection currently applicable to the director of the CFPB. In its “view, the panel correctly applied severability principles and therefore properly struck down only the for-cause removal restrictions.” … Continue Reading
PHH files opening en banc brief; seven supporting amicus briefs filed
On Friday, PHH filed its opening en banc brief with the D.C. Circuit in the rehearing of its appeal of Director Cordray’s June 2015 decision that affirmed an administrative law judge’s (ALJ) recommended decision concluding PHH had violated RESPA and increased the ALJ’s disgorgement award from over $6.4 million to over $109 million. … Continue Reading
Divided D.C. Circuit panel denies injunction blocking CFPB CID
The D.C. Circuit, in a divided decision, denied a motion for an emergency injunction pending appeal filed by a company seeking to halt all CFPB action adverse to the company, including enforcement of a CID and disclosure of the company’s identity. The company seeking the injunction in John Doe Company v.… Continue Reading
D.C. Circuit grants motion of U.S. for leave to file amicus brief in PHH by March 17; denies motions to intervene
The D.C. Circuit has entered an order granting the unopposed motion of the United States for leave to file an amicus brief in PHH by March 17, 2017. As we previously observed, the motion appears to signal the DOJ’s intention to support PHH rather than the CFPB.
In a second order, the D.C.… Continue Reading
Motion filed by U.S. seeking leave to file amicus brief by March 17 signals support for PHH
The United States, at the Solicitor General’s request, has filed an “unopposed motion” with the D.C. Circuit for leave to file an amicus brief in PHH by March 17, 2017. The motion states that both PHH and the CFPB have consented to the motion.
The D.C. Circuit’s order granting the CFPB’s petition for rehearing en banc requires amicus briefs supporting PHH to be filed by March 10 and amicus briefs supporting the CFPB to be filed by March 31. … Continue Reading
PHH opposes intervention by plaintiffs in another case challenging CFPB’s constitutionality
PHH has filed a response opposing the motion of the plaintiffs in State National Bank of Big Spring, Texas, et al. v. Lew to intervene in the en banc rehearing. The D.C. Circuit granted the CFPB’s petition for en banc rehearing on February 16.
In July 2016, the D.C. federal district court rejected the plaintiffs’ attempt in State National Bank of Big Spring to invalidate the actions taken by Director Cordray while he was a recess appointee. … Continue Reading
D.C. Circuit grants CFPB’s petition for rehearing en banc in PHH case
The D.C. Circuit has entered an order granting the CFPB’s petition for rehearing en banc in the PHH case. Because the order was issued per curiam, it does not indicate which of the active judges voted to grant the petition but only indicates that Chief Judge Garland did not participate.
The order vacates the panel’s October 2016 judgment, sets a briefing schedule, and sets May 24, 2017 as the date for oral argument. … Continue Reading
Plaintiffs in another case challenging CFPB’s constitutionality move to intervene in PHH case
The plaintiffs in State National Bank of Big Spring, Texas, et al. v. Lew have filed a “Motion To Intervene In Any En Banc Proceeding That May Be Granted” in the PHH case. The motion follows the D.C. federal district court’s denial of the plaintiffs’ attempt to consolidate their case with PHH on appeal to the D.C.… Continue Reading