Legal Definitions - CVSG

CVSG stands for Call for the View of the Solicitor General.

A CVSG is an official request from the U.S. Supreme Court to the Solicitor General of the United States. The Solicitor General is the lawyer who represents the federal government before the Supreme Court. When the Supreme Court issues a CVSG, it is asking for the Solicitor General's expert opinion on whether the Court should agree to hear a specific case that has been appealed to it (known as a "petition for writ of certiorari").

This request is typically made in cases where the U.S. government is not directly involved as a plaintiff or defendant, but where the legal issues at stake could significantly affect federal laws, policies, or governmental interests. The Solicitor General's response helps the Supreme Court decide whether the case warrants its attention.

• Example 1: Environmental Regulation Dispute

  Imagine a lawsuit between two private energy companies concerning the interpretation of a complex federal environmental regulation. One company argues the regulation is being misapplied, while the other defends its current interpretation. Even though the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is not a direct party in this specific lawsuit, the Supreme Court might issue a CVSG. This is because the Court's ultimate decision on how to interpret that regulation could have broad implications for federal environmental policy, the EPA's enforcement powers, and the entire energy industry nationwide. The Solicitor General's input would provide the government's perspective on the correct interpretation and its potential impact.

• Example 2: Patent Law and Innovation Policy

  Consider a dispute between two major technology corporations over the validity of a software patent. The losing company petitions the Supreme Court to review the case, arguing that the lower court's ruling misinterprets fundamental patent law principles. While the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is not a party to the corporate lawsuit, the Supreme Court might issue a CVSG. The Court would seek the Solicitor General's view because the outcome could significantly influence federal patent law, affect innovation incentives across various industries, and potentially impact the U.S.'s global competitiveness in technology – all areas of substantial governmental interest.

• Example 3: State Law with Federal Civil Rights Implications

  Suppose a case arises from a state court where a local government entity is sued by a private citizen, alleging that a particular local ordinance violates their First Amendment rights to free speech. The citizen loses in the state's highest court and then petitions the U.S. Supreme Court. Although the federal government is not a party to this dispute between a citizen and a local government, the Supreme Court might issue a CVSG. The Solicitor General's office would be asked to weigh in because the interpretation of a fundamental constitutional right, like free speech, has direct implications for federal civil rights enforcement and could establish a precedent affecting similar laws nationwide, thus involving significant federal governmental interests.