535 U.S. 743 (2002)
The case of Federal Maritime Commission v. South Carolina Ports Authority marked a significant reinforcement of state sovereignty under the Eleventh Amendment of the United States Constitution.
Can a federal agency adjudicate complaints against a state-run entity, or does state sovereign immunity protect the state from such proceedings?
Under the Eleventh Amendment, states are protected from certain legal proceedings in federal courts and quasi-judicial agency proceedings that closely resemble a court's adjudicative function.
The Supreme Court held that state sovereign immunity precludes the Federal Maritime Commission from adjudicating complaints against a non-consenting state like the South Carolina Ports Authority.
This case is significant for its clarifying impact on the boundaries of state sovereign immunity, especially in the context of federal agency authority. It underscores the importance of the Eleventh Amendment in safeguarding state rights against encroachments by federal bodies. For law students, the case is a fundamental demonstration of constitutional interpretation and the protection of state sovereignty, offering critical insights into the roles and limits of various government entities.