8th Circuit Denied NAR Commission Settlement Appeals
The court rejected final requests for rehearing, keeping the massive real estate commission settlement deal in place.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Residential
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The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals denied rehearing requests from objectors regarding the National Association of Realtors' commission settlement. This decision maintains the court's August ruling, which supports the landmark $1.02 billion resolution.
Why it matters
The ruling resolves key challenges to the massive settlement, which fundamentally alters how real estate commissions are handled across the country. By denying these appeals, the court effectively shields the existing agreement from further delay within the circuit.
The 8th Circuit upheld total settlement funds reaching $1.02 billion, including $110.6 million from firms like Compass and Redfin. The court previously rejected seven distinct challenges to the settlement terms.
The players
8th Circuit Court of Appeals
This federal judicial body has jurisdiction over appeals from district courts in several Midwestern states.
Robert Friedman
He is an objector who sought a rehearing regarding the nationwide real estate commission settlement.
Monty March
He is an objector who requested that the court reconsider its affirmation of the settlement terms.
National Association of Realtors
This is a large trade association for real estate professionals in the United States.
The details
The court issued a two-page order rejecting petitions from objectors Robert Friedman and Monty March, as well as three other appellants. The judges affirmed their previous August decision, finding the merits of the challenges fully addressed by their earlier legal analysis.
Timeline
Appeals were argued before the 8th Circuit panel in January 2026.
The court affirmed the Sitzer | Burnett settlements on August 19, 2026.
Settlements for the Gibson case were upheld on September 1, 2026.
Three additional objector appeals were rejected on September 15, 2026.
The 8th Circuit denied rehearing requests from Friedman and March on September 24, 2026.
Culture Shift
The court's recent order follows the legal framework established by the Sitzer | Burnett settlements. This ruling solidifies a major shift in the industry, marking the end of long-standing commission structures that have dominated the American housing market.
Homebuyers and sellers should prepare for continued changes in how agent commissions are disclosed and negotiated. The finality of this ruling suggests that the new commission standards will remain in place without further judicial intervention for the foreseeable future.
The takeaway
The denial of these rehearing requests limits the ability of individual objectors to disrupt the industry-wide settlement process. Homeowners and buyers can expect the new rules governing real estate transactions to remain consistent as the legal challenges reach their conclusion.
Further reading
For broader context on the evolving housing market, visit the Residential section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Inman.
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