5th Circuit Recalls Remand of Friction Cases, Reassigns Future Claims

NEW ORLEANS - A federal appeals court has granted mandamus relief to the Big Three Auto Makers in two asbestos cases previously removed to federal court, effectively nullifying a lower court's order to remand the claims and reassigning these and all future friction claims involving the defendants to a different federal district court judge. In Re: DaimlerChrysler Corp., et al., Nos. 02-40741 & 02-40742 (5th Cir.).

The Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals explained its reasons for granting the mandamus petition and the subsequent reassignment in a decision issued June 14. The court had issued a similar directive in March …