Victor Baynard Woolley
Judge Woolley no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Woolley decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Leaves genuinely disputed material facts to the jury rather than substituting a judicial finding.
“where a material issue of fact has been raised by proper pleadings and submitted to the jury on conflicting evidence, the dispute belongs exclusively to that tribunal.”
Scrutinizes insider claims closely without treating family relationship alone as proof of dishonesty.
“we have endeavored' carefully to keep in mind the rule that a claim of a relative of a bankrupt should be closely scrutinized; remembering, however, that the honest or dishonest character of such a claim is not to be determined by mere relationship.”
Procedural preferences
Decides from the record rather than supplying an imagined justification for the trial court's action.
“Obviously, we cannot decide this case upon surmise, however persuasive. It is upon the record alone that we must render decision.”
Uses caution at the preliminary-injunction stage when validity remains a substantial issue for trial.
“Here lies a fair doubt and a doubt substantial enough not to be silenced, once and for all, by a preliminary injunction denying a defendant the right to raise and try the major issue of validity, unless such action were made imperative by the defendant’s conduct conclusively established.”
Cautions
Rejects state-by-state cost rules for federal appellate proceedings to avoid irregularity and confusion.
“If the Conformity Act held the United States Circuit Courts of Appeals to the cost rules of state courts, they would be governed by, and would have to apply, as many different rules in respeet to costs as there are states in their circuits. The result would be irregularity and confusion in an important incident to the administration of justice whieh, we think, the Congress did not intend.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“We find -that the patent is valid and infringed, and direct that a decree be entered in accordance with this opinion.”
“We direct that the District Court modify its order by allowing in full the item of the claim in dispute, and that the costs of this case, both in the. District Court and in this court, be paid by the Trustee out of the estate of the bankrupt as a cost of administration.”
“The order of the court below must, therefore, be affirmed.”
“Finding no error in the trial we direct that the judgment below be affirmed.”
“Therefore, the judgment entered on the verdict must be affirmed.”
“It follows, therefore, that the judgments below must be reversed and a new trial awarded.”
“do hereby order that the said Samuel Singer be, by the warden of the Essex County Jail, forthwith discharged from further imprisonment and detention by reason of the said several commitments now lodged against the said Samuel Singer.”
“we affirm the judgment as to Rulovitch, Revolinsky and Gadek and reverse it as to the remaining defendants with the instruction that they be awarded a new trial.”
A historical record
Judge Woolley no longer hears cases. This profile stays available as a record of how they ruled. If you're preparing for a matter, start from the court's current bench.