Burford v. Sun Oil Co., 319 U.S. 315 (1943)

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Burford v. Sun Oil Co.

No. 495

Argued February 8, 9, 1943
Reargued April 14, 15, 1943
Decided May 24, 1943 *
319 U.S. 315

CERTIORARI TO THE CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

1. Jurisdiction by appeal from a state administrative body cannot be conferred on the federal District Court by a state statute. P. 317.

2. A federal court having jurisdiction, whether by diversity of citizenship or by federal question, of a suit to enjoin enforcement of an administrative order of a state commission, may, in its sound discretion, refuse such relief if to grant it would be prejudicial to the public interest. P. 317.

3. It is in the public interest that federal courts of equity should exercise their discretionary power with proper regard for the independence of state governments in carrying out their policies. P. 318.

4. In the exercise of a sound discretion, this suit to enjoin the execution of the order of the State Railroad Commission of Texas permitting the drilling of wells in the East Texas Oil Field separated by distances less than the minimum prescribed for the field in general should have been dismissed. Pp. 318-322.

Certiorari, 317 U.S. 621, to review a judgment reversing a judgment of the District Court which dismissed the complaint of the Sun Oil Company in a suit against the Railroad Commission of Texas, et al., to enjoin the execution of an order of the Commission permitting the drilling and operation of certain oil wells in the East Texas Oil Field, and also dismissing the complaint of the Magnolia Petroleum Company, Intervener. The judgment of the District had at first been affirmed, 124 F.2d 467.