July 21, 2026·26-6455·Per Curiam·Per Curiam·By Aisha Johnson
The Fourth Circuit dismissed an appeal from a district court order denying summary judgment, ruling that the order was not final or otherwise appealable.
Theodore Jerry Bolick, proceeding pro se, appealed a district court order that accepted a magistrate judge’s recommendation and denied his motion for summary judgment.
The court’s reasoning
The court explained that jurisdiction exists only over final orders or specific interlocutory and collateral orders under federal statutes and rules. The order Bolick sought to appeal did not meet these criteria.
What it means going forward
Litigants cannot appeal summary judgment denials immediately; they must wait for a final judgment.
