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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. |
 | | 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. |
 | | Although Dowell did not involve a consent decree, it suggests that, in considering a state or local governmental body's motion to modify an injunctive decree, delineation of the proper scope of the district courts' equitable discretion must be informed by the values of federalism. |
| www.usdoj.gov /osg/briefs/1990/sg900209.txt (1083 words) |
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