An Empirical Study of Implicit Takings

74 Pages Posted: 15 May 2016 Last revised: 15 Jul 2016

See all articles by James E. Krier

James E. Krier

University of Michigan Law School

Stewart E. Sterk

Yeshiva University - Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law

Date Written: May 13, 2016

Abstract

Takings scholarship has long focused on the niceties of Supreme Court doctrine, while ignoring the operation of takings law “on the ground” – in the state and lower federal courts, who together decide the vast bulk of all takings cases. This study, based primarily on an empirical analysis of more than 2,000 reported decisions over the period 1979 through June 2012, attempts to fill that void.

The study establishes that the Supreme Court’s categorical rules govern almost no cases, and that takings claims based on government regulation almost invariably fail. By contrast, when takings claims arise out of government action other than regulation, landowners enjoy modest success. In particular, when government actions are taken by officials who are not politically accountable, state courts are more likely to scrutinize those actions.

This pattern is consistent with what we believe to be the courts’ basic project in this area: to develop doctrine that acknowledges the importance of property rights while also accommodating the needs of an activist state. By and large, political processes, not judicial doctrine, are left to serve as the primary check on government activity.

Keywords: takings, regulatory takings, implicit takings, state constitutional law, takings clause, state courts, federal courts

JEL Classification: K00

Suggested Citation

Krier, James E. and Sterk, Stewart E., An Empirical Study of Implicit Takings (May 13, 2016). William & Mary Law Review, Vol. 58, 2016 , Cardozo Legal Studies Research Paper No. 487, U of Michigan Law & Econ Research Paper No. 16-011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2779858

James E. Krier

University of Michigan Law School ( email )

625 South State Street
1039 Legal Research Building
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1215
United States
734-764-4701 (Phone)
734-764-8309 (Fax)

Stewart E. Sterk (Contact Author)

Yeshiva University - Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law ( email )

55 Fifth Ave.
New York, NY 10003
United States
212-790-0230 (Phone)
212-790-0205 (Fax)

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