Hinderlider v. La Plata River & Cherry Creek Ditch

SCOTUSCase
Litigants=Hinderlider v. La Plata River & Cherry Creek Ditch Co.
ArgueDate=January 31
ArgueYear=1938
DecideDate=April 25
DecideYear=1938
FullName=Hinderlider v. La Plata River & Cherry Creek Ditch Co.
USVol=304
USPage=92
Holding= Federal common law applies to resolve water rights governed by an interstate compact.
SCOTUS=1938
Majority=Brandeis

Overview

"Hinderlider v. La Plata River & Cherry Creek Ditch Co.", 304 U.S. 92 (1938), is a companion case to "Erie", decided on the same day. Erie is best known for "abolishing general federal common law." However, this does not mean that there is no federal common law at all. Hinderlider makes this clear. It is the first post-Erie case to reaffirm the existence of federal common law for other purposes, specifically here, the interpretation of an interstate compact governing water rights.

ee also

*List of United States Supreme Court cases, volume 304