Seila Law LLC v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
View Official PDFBelow are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in Seila Law LLC v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 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 Seila Law LLC v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
The Supreme Court addressed the constitutionality of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) structure, specifically the removal protections for its Director. The Court found that the CFPB's leadership by a single Director removable only for inefficiency, neglect, or malfeasance violates the separation of powers. The decision vacated the lower court's judgment and remanded the case for further proceedings.
Holding
The single most important “bottom line” of what the Court decided in Seila Law LLC v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
The Court held that the CFPB's leadership by a single individual removable only for inefficiency, neglect, or malfeasance violates the separation of powers.
Constitutional Concepts
These are the Constitution-related themes that appear in Seila Law LLC v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.
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Why Executive Power is relevant to Seila Law LLC v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
The case primarily addresses the scope of the President's executive power, specifically the power to remove executive officers.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)The CFPB's leadership by a single individual removable only for ineffciency, neglect, or malfeasance violates the separation of powers.
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Why Appointments and Removals is relevant to Seila Law LLC v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
The decision centers on the constitutionality of restrictions on the President's power to remove the CFPB Director.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)The President's removal power has long been confrmed by history and precedent.
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Why Administrative Law is relevant to Seila Law LLC v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
The case involves constitutional limits on agency authority and the structure of independent regulatory agencies.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Such an agency lacks a foundation in historical practice and clashes with constitutional structure by concentrating power in a unilateral actor insulated from Presidential control.
Key Quotes
Short excerpts from the syllabus in Seila Law LLC v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that support the summary and concepts above.
The CFPB's leadership by a single individual removable only for inefficiency, neglect, or malfeasance violates the separation of powers.
The President's removal power has long been confirmed by history and precedent.
The Court declines to extend these precedents to an independent agency led by a single Director and vested with significant executive power.
