Lieutenant Colonel Albertis Wilson, Plaintiff-respondent, v. the United States, Defendant-petitioner, 867 F.2d 615 (Fed. Cir. 1988)

ORDER

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1292(d) (2), the United States petitions for permission to appeal the Claims Court's October 14, 1988 order, modified on October 19, 1988, certified for immediate appeal as involving a controlling question of law on which there is a substantial ground for difference of opinion and for which an immediate appeal may materially advance the ultimate termination of the litigation. Lieutenant Colonel Albertis Wilson opposes the petition.

Wilson, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve, sought backpay, reinstatement to active duty, and other relief in the Claims Court. Wilson's suit was based on the sanctuary provision of 10 U.S.C. § 1163(d)^*  and on this court's decision in Ulmet v. United States, 822 F.2d 1079 (Fed. Cir. 1987). The United States moved for summary judgment based, inter alia, on a congressional amendment to the statute that added the parenthetical phrase "a member of a reserve component who is on active duty (other than for training)...."

The Claims Court determined (1) that the statutory amendment did not overrule Ulmet, (2) that Congress did not intend that the amendment be applied to prior tours of duty, (3) that Wilson is entitled to the benefit of the sanctuary provision, and (4) that proceedings on damages remained. The Claims Court also certified the order for immediate appeal.

This court makes its own determination of whether it will accept an interlocutory appeal pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1292. If the criteria for certification has not been fulfilled, then the petition will be denied. 9 Moore's Federal Practice p 110.22. Here, all that remains in the Claims Court is a proceeding on damages. Generally, damages proceedings in cases like these are not lengthy or complex. After the damages phase is completed and final judgment is entered, the issues presented here can be heard in the context of an ordinary appeal. Thus, it appears that suspending the damages proceeding pending interlocutory review will not promote judicial economy in this case nor materially advance the ultimate termination of the litigation. Further, Wilson states that he can ill-afford two appeals. Accordingly, we determine that judicial economy and the interests of the parties can best be served by permitting the Claims Court to proceed to final judgment.

Upon consideration thereof,

IT IS ORDERED THAT:

The United States' petition for permission to appeal is denied.