Can a prior interpretation of a statute be overruled by a later interpretation of the same statute?

MultiRegion, United States of America

The following excerpt is from Lambert v. Saul, 980 F.3d 1266 (9th Cir. 2020):

There are, however, limited circumstances in which we are permittedand, indeed, requiredto depart from it. Those circumstances include the "intervening higher authority," id. , of an administrative agency's authoritative and reasonable interpretation of a statute. See, e.g. , Campos-Hernandez v. Sessions , 889 F.3d 564, 56869 (9th Cir. 2018) (deferring to an agency's later interpretation of a statute when the earlier judicial decision did not hold that the agency's interpretation was unambiguously foreclosed). Whether such an intervening agency interpretation can overcome our prior interpretation of a statute depends, in turn, on whether we regarded the statute as unambiguously compelling our interpretation.

Other Questions


When a federal agency interprets or interprets a statute, does the interpretation or application of the statute need to be reviewed de novo? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Is a federal district court's interpretation of a federal statute a de novo review of the interpretation of the federal statute? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Is a federal district court's interpretation of a federal statute a de novo review of the interpretation of the federal statute? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Does the federal government have an obligation to interpret the bank fraud statute in the same way as the mail fraud statute? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
What is the meaning of the so-called 'triangulation of interpretation of the interpretation' of the Interpretation of the Rule? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Is a federal judge required to interpret a state statute before the federal courts interpret it first? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Does the doctrine of "ejusdem generis" need to be interpreted in a different way than the current interpretation of a similar statute? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
What is the test for judicial deference to an administrative tribunal on the interpretation of its "home statute" or statute? (Canada (Federal), Canada)
How have the courts interpreted the meaning of a statute in the context of the history of the statute? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
What is the test for interpreting the meaning of a statute in the context of a tortfeasor's interpretation? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.