{"argument_date":"2022-01-18T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2022-01-18T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2021","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","paragraphs":["Ms. Hansford argued Congress created a clear liability standard for foreign states.","She stated foreign states must be liable like private individuals under like circumstances.","Mr. Boies responded to questions about the applicability of Spanish law.","He acknowledged the potential loss if courts applied Spanish law identically to private persons."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 33-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 45-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 45-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 37-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 37-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 29-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 29-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 37-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 37-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 33-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 33-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 17-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 55-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 55-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 21-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 33-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 29-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 29-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 53-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 53-29"}]}],"caption":"Cassirer v. Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:17.833272Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T23:56:19.475861Z","explanation":"An official Court opinion was verified.","status":"decided"}],"case_status":"decided","dek":"The dispute centers on whether foreign states must meet the same legal liability standards as private individuals.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 37-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 37-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 33-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 33-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-21"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2022-01-18T00:00:00Z","maturity":"post_opinion","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2021","official_disposition_urls":["https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/596us1r23_heim.pdf"],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/20-1566.html","primary_docket":"20-1566","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T16:56:00.711545Z","maturity":"post_opinion","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"post_opinion","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["The case tests the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act. It asks if foreign states face identical liability rules as private parties."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 37-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 37-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 33-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 33-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-21"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 18, 2022."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-19"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Cassirer wants the Court to apply private citizen liability standards to the foreign state.","Thyssen-Bornemisza wants the Court to reject the private citizen analogy for foreign states."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 37-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 37-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 33-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 33-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-21"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Cassirer argues Congress directed foreign states to be liable like private individuals under like circumstances.","Thyssen-Bornemisza argues the private citizen analogy fails for unique sovereign actions like managing an army."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 37-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 37-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 33-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 33-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-21"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Sotomayor asked if the parties hold different positions on the issue.","Justice Alito asked why the advocate downplayed the Rules of Decision Act argument."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 33-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 45-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 45-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 37-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 37-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 29-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 29-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 17-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 55-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 55-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 21-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 33-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 29-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 29-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 53-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 53-29"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["The outcome defines the legal standard for holding foreign states liable in U.S. courts. It clarifies the scope of sovereign immunity protections. It impacts how victims seek redress against foreign governments."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 37-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 37-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 33-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 33-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-21"}]},{"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 33-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 33-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 45-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 45-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 37-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 37-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 29-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 29-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 17-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 55-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 55-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 21-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 33-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 29-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 29-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 53-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 53-29"}]}],"slug":"2021-20-1566-cassirer-v-thyssen-bornemisza-collection","term":"2021","title":"Does the FSIA require foreign states to face the same liability as private citizens?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 37-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 37-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 33-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 33-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/20-1566_4f14.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-21"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":"latest_argument_date","updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}