Joseph v. Hess Oil V.I. Corp.

The company sought an extension of time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from a decision of the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands (48 U.S.C. 1613), on the ground that new counsel cannot meet the current deadline due to other professional commitments. Third Circuit rules provide that extension of the 60-day period in which to file a certiorari petition may be granted "for good cause shown." The court concluded that the stated reason did not amount to good cause, but granted the extension because the court had not previously addressed standards applicable to the required showing. An applicant for extension must show unforeseen or uncontrollable events, such as a death in the family, illness, or active engagement at trial.