{"argument_date":"2012-02-28T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2012-02-28T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2011","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Hoffman argued that aiding and abetting is a conduct-regulating norm.","Ms. Sullivan stated that no customary international law source holds corporations liable.","Mr. Kneedler argued the lower court erred in its categorical ruling."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 20-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 20-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 36-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 36-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 29-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 29-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 4-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 4-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 34-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 34-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 6-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 6-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 40-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 40-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 16-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 16-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 24-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 24-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 16-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 16-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 32-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 32-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 40-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 40-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 50-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 50-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 30-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 30-38"}]}],"caption":"Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum Co.","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:35.439336Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:35.466608Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"the sides that brought the case seek corporate liability for human rights abuses. the opposing sides argue international law bars such claims.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 34-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 34-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 6-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 6-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 8-18"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2012-02-28T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2011","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/10-1491.html","primary_docket":"10-1491","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T23:09:49.749149Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["This case tests whether the Alien Tort Statute allows suits against corporations for human rights violations."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 34-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 34-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 6-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 6-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 8-18"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on February 28, 2012."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 8-18"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want the Court to allow corporate liability under the statute.","the opposing sides want the Court to bar corporate liability under the statute."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 34-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 34-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 6-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 6-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 8-18"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue the lower court erred by categorically barring corporate liability.","the opposing sides argue no international law source holds corporations liable for these offenses."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 34-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 34-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 6-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 6-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 8-18"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Alito asked if all judges interpret the relevant opinion the same way.","Justice Kennedy asked if international law recognizes corporate responsibility for these offenses."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 20-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 20-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 36-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 36-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 29-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 29-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 4-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 4-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 40-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 40-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 16-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 16-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 24-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 24-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 16-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 16-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 32-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 32-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 40-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 40-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 50-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 50-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 30-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 30-38"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This dispute determines whether corporations face legal accountability for human rights abuses abroad."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 34-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 34-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 6-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 6-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 8-18"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 20-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 20-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 36-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 36-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 29-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 29-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 4-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 4-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 40-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 40-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 16-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 16-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 24-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 24-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 16-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 16-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 32-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 32-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 40-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 40-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 50-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 50-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 30-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 30-38"}]}],"slug":"2011-10-1491-kiobel-v-royal-dutch-petroleum-co","term":"2011","title":"Can corporations face liability under the Alien Tort Statute?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 34-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 34-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 6-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 6-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1491.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 8-18"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}