Van Staphorst v. Maryland (1791) was the first case docketed with the United States Supreme Court. Although the court agreed to hear and decide the case, the suit was settled before oral arguments. Collet v. Collet

Collet v. Collet

Collet v. Collet, 2 U.S. 294 , was a Supreme Court of the United States decision that was the earliest appellate case docketed although it was never heard by the Court. Van Staphorst v. Maryland was the first case docketed with the court. West v...

was the first appellate case docketed with the court. West v. Barnes

West v. Barnes

West v. Barnes, 2 U.S. 401 , was the first United States Supreme Court decision and the earliest case calling for oral argument. Van Staphorst v. Maryland was docketed prior to West v. Barnes but settled before the Court heard the case: West was argued on August 2, 1791 and decided on August 3,...

was the first case decided by the court.

In the case, the Van Staphorst brothers lent money to the State of Maryland during the Revolutionary War era. Maryland refused to pay back the loan according to the terms the Van Staphorst brothers demanded. After the threat of Supreme Court litigation, the parties finally settled with each other.