WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear an appeal by Toyota Motor Corp. in lawsuits over the anti-lock brake systems in its Prius cars.
Toyota wanted the nation's high court to overturn a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit that says the company can't compel arbitration in the lawsuits, originally filed in California.
Among other forms of relief, the plaintiffs in the case sought to rescind their purchase agreements.
Although Toyota was not a signatory to the purchase agreements, the company argued it could compel arbitration under the doctrine of equitable estoppel.
A district court denied Toyota's motion to compel arbitration, saying it lacked standing.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed.
Toyota, which filed its petition for a writ of certiorari with the Supreme Court in April, argued the federal appeals court's refusal conflicts with the decisions of two other circuits.
The company's appeal was among the many cases the Supreme Court declined to hear this term, according to a 94-page order list.
Monday was the first day of the court's new term.
From Legal Newsline: Reach Jessica Karmasek by email at jessica@legalnewsline.com.