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| | sg900209.txt |
 | | First, when such a decree is entered against a public institution, the impact of the decree on the public interest, indeed its direct impact on persons not parties to the decree, is likely to be greater than in the case of a consent decree between private parties, or against a private defendant. |
 | | But as a judicial decree, which involves the court itself in continuing supervision, it must be subject to modification, even without the consent of all parties, if enforcement of the decree as originally entered would be inequitable and would not serve the public interest. |
 | | Decrees like the one in this case are aimed at systemic, affirmative reform; because of the nature of the duties imposed, they necessarily contemplate that compliance with the decree will be achieved over a substantial period of time. |
| www.usdoj.gov /osg/briefs/1990/sg900209.txt (1083 words) |
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