AMG Capital Management, LLC v. FTC
View Official PDFBelow are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in AMG Capital Management, LLC v. FTC and why it matters. Quotes are taken from the syllabus (the Court’s short summary at the start of the opinion).
Summary
A short, plain-English overview of AMG Capital Management, LLC v. FTC.
The Supreme Court addressed whether the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) can seek monetary relief directly in court under § 13(b) of the FTC Act. The Court found that § 13(b) does not authorize the FTC to obtain equitable monetary relief such as restitution or disgorgement. This decision clarifies the limits of the FTC's authority to bypass traditional administrative procedures for monetary awards.
Holding
The single most important “bottom line” of what the Court decided in AMG Capital Management, LLC v. FTC.
The Court held that Section 13(b) does not authorize the Commission to seek, or a court to award, equitable monetary relief such as restitution or disgorgement.
Constitutional Concepts
These are the Constitution-related themes that appear in AMG Capital Management, LLC v. FTC. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.
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Why Administrative Law is relevant to AMG Capital Management, LLC v. FTC
The case revolves around the limits of agency authority under the FTC Act, specifically whether the FTC can seek monetary relief directly in court without following traditional administrative procedures.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Section 13(b) does not authorize the Commission to seek, or a court to award, equitable monetary relief such as restitution or disgorgement.
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Why Remedies and Relief is relevant to AMG Capital Management, LLC v. FTC
The Court's decision focuses on the types of remedies the FTC can seek under § 13(b) of the FTC Act, particularly whether it includes monetary relief.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Section 13(b) does not explicitly authorize the Commission to obtain court-ordered monetary relief, and such relief is foreclosed by the structure and history of the Act.
Key Quotes
Short excerpts from the syllabus in AMG Capital Management, LLC v. FTC that support the summary and concepts above.
Section 13(b) does not authorize the Commission to seek, or a court to award, equitable monetary relief such as restitution or disgorgement.
Section 13(b) provides that the 'Commission may seek . . . a permanent injunction.'
The desirability of the Commission's practice aside, the question is whether Congress, by enacting § 13(b) and using the words 'permanent injunction,' granted the Commission authority to obtain monetary relief directly from courts.
