United States Third Circuit

In plaintiffs-homebuyers' putative class action against Countrywide to recover statutory treble damages pursuant to section 8(d)(2) of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) of 1974, dismissal of the complaint for lack of jurisdiction is reversed as the plain language of RESPA section 8 indicates that Congress created a private right of action without requiring an overcharge allegation. Finally, plaintiffs are not barred by the filed rate doctrine as it simply does not apply in this case.

Appellate Information

• Decided 10/28/2009
• Published 10/28/2009

Judges

• Before:  BARRY, FISHER and JORDAN, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States Third Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Edward W. Ciolko, Esq., (Argued), Joseph H. Meltzer, Esq., Donna S. Moffa, Esq., Terence S. Ziegler, Esq., Barroway, Topaz, Kessler, Meltzer & Check, Radnor, PA, Eric G. Calhoun, Esq., Travis & Calhoun, Dallas, TX, for Appellants., Christine N. Kohl, Esq. (Argued), Michael J. Singer, Esq., United States Department of Justice, Civil Division, Washington, DC, for USA-Intervenor.


• For Appellees:
  
• David L. Permut, Esq. (Argued), Thomas Hefferon, Esq., Sallie F. Pullman, Esq., Goodwin Procter, Washington, DC, Martin C. Bryce, Jr., Esq., Ballard, Spahr, Andrews & Ingersoll, Philadelphia, PA, for Appellees.