Maryland arbitration case tops Supreme Court agenda

WASHINGTON — One of the first cases the U.S. Supreme Court will hear during its October session is a Maryland one concerning whether federal courts have jurisdiction to enforce an arbitration agreement under state law.

The case, Vaden v. Discover Bank, will be heard Monday, the first day of the court's new session.

The dispute began in 2003 when Discover Financial Services, on behalf of Discover Bank, sued retired Baltimore resident Betty Vaden, 68, in Baltimore City Circuit Court for alleged nonpayment of her credit card debt.

Vaden countersued over the legality of interest payments and other fees imposed by...