{"argument_date":"2012-10-01T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2012-10-01T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2012","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","paragraphs":["General Verrilli argued the statute should not cover foreign corporate conduct abroad. He stated there is no meaningful connection to the United States in these cases.","Ms. Sullivan emphasized the case involves Nigerian plaintiffs suing an English and Dutch company. She noted the alleged conduct took place entirely within Nigeria.","Mr. Hoffman stated the plaintiffs received asylum in the United States. He argued they sued the defendants for their role in these human rights violations in U.S. courts."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 17-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 17-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 41-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 41-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 3-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 3-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 51-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 51-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 9-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 9-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 11-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 41, lines 11-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 29-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 29-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 43-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 43-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 5-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 5-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 39-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 39-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 3-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 3-7"}]}],"caption":"Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum Co.","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:35.097693Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Nigerian plaintiffs sue a Dutch and English company for aiding Nigerian officials. The company argues the conduct occurred entirely outside the United States.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 17-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 17-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 11-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 41, lines 11-25"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2012-10-01T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2012","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":"2026-08-30T22:55:13.518825Z","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":["The case tests the reach of the Alien Tort Statute. It asks if U.S. courts can adjudicate claims about foreign corporate conduct abroad. The dispute centers on jurisdiction and international law application."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 17-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 17-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 11-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 41, lines 11-25"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 1, 2012."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["The plaintiffs want a U.S. court to hear their human rights claims. They argue their asylum status creates a sufficient connection to the United States.","The defendants want the court to dismiss the case. They argue the conduct occurred entirely in Nigeria and lacks a meaningful U.S. connection."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 17-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 17-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 11-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 41, lines 11-25"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["The plaintiffs argue their presence in the U.S. as asylum seekers links the case to American soil. They contend the statute allows suits for foreign conduct when plaintiffs are here.","The defendants argue the statute does not cover extraterritorial conduct by foreign corporations. They state there is no meaningful connection to the United States in this category of cases."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 17-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 17-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 11-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 41, lines 11-25"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Ginsburg asked if personal jurisdiction was raised as a defense.","Justice Kennedy asked if a U.S. corporation can be sued globally for domestic violations. He also asked what U.S. effects exist between the Nigerian events and the U.S. connection claimed by the plaintiffs. Justice Scalia asked who decides what constitutes a violation of international law norms. Chief Justice Roberts asked if plaintiffs can sue in multiple countries simultaneously."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 41-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 41-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 3-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 3-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 51-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 51-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 9-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 9-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 29-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 29-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 43-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 43-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 5-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 5-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 39-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 39-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 3-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 3-7"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["The outcome defines the geographic limits of U.S. judicial power. It determines whether American courts adjudicate foreign corporate conduct abroad. This shapes the role of U.S. courts in international human rights enforcement. It clarifies the scope of the Alien Tort Statute for foreign actors."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 17-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 17-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 11-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 41, lines 11-25"}]},{"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 3, lines 41-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 41-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 3-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 3-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 51-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 51-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 9-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 9-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 29-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 29-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 43-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 43-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 5-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 5-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 39-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 39-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 3-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 3-7"}]}],"slug":"2012-10-1491-kiobel-v-royal-dutch-petroleum-co","term":"2012","title":"Can U.S. courts hear claims about foreign corporate conduct abroad?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 17-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 17-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 11-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/10-1491rearg.pdf","page_label":"file page 41, lines 11-25"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}