October Term 2017 · Docket 16-499
Can foreign corporations face civil liability under the Alien Tort Statute?
Israeli nationals sue a Jordanian bank for wartime injuries. The bank argues U.S. courts lack jurisdiction over foreign entities.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Fisher argued that ordinary statutory construction rules apply to the Alien Tort Statute.
Mr. Fisher stated that the traditional presumption of corporate liability controls this case.
Mr. Fletcher argued that the claims lack a sufficient connection to the United States.
Mr. Clement emphasized that the defendant is chartered and regulated by Jordan.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 32-14 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 32-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 20-26 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 20-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 50-50 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 50-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 56-34 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 56-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 40-44 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 40-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 20-52 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 20-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 12-22 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 12-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-44 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 24-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 20-50 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 20-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 46-48 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 46-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 52-1 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 52-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 24-36 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 24-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 44-48 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 44-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 52-54 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 52-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 42-34 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 42-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 10-16 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 10-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 36-36 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 36-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 40-44 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 40-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 48-54 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 48-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 8-10 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 8-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 30-34 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 30-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 38-48 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 38-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 10-12 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 10-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 8-36 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 8-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 20-24 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 20-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 42-44 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 42-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 54-1 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 54-1
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests whether the Alien Tort Statute allows suits against foreign corporations. the sides that brought the case seek to hold the bank liable for torts. The bank seeks dismissal based on its foreign status.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 20-52 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 20-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-44 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 24-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 20-50 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 20-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 24-36 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 24-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 42-34 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 42-34
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 11, 2017.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 12-22 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 12-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 10-12 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 10-12
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want the Court to affirm corporate liability under the statute.
The bank wants the Court to bar suits against foreign corporations.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 20-52 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 20-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-44 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 24-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 20-50 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 20-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 24-36 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 24-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 42-34 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 42-34
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue ordinary statutory construction supports holding corporations liable for torts.
The bank argues the claims lack sufficient U.S. connections to proceed.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 20-52 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 20-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-44 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 24-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 20-50 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 20-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 24-36 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 24-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 42-34 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 42-34
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Roberts asked about the availability of relief for foreign corporate defendants.
Justice Sotomayor asked if suing at headquarters would resolve most cases.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 32-14 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 32-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 20-26 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 20-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 50-50 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 50-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 56-34 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 56-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 40-44 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 40-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 46-48 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 46-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 52-1 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 52-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 44-48 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 44-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 52-54 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 52-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 10-16 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 10-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 36-36 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 36-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 40-44 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 40-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 48-54 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 48-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 8-10 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 8-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 30-34 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 30-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 38-48 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 38-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 10-12 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 10-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 8-36 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 8-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 20-24 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 20-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 42-44 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 42-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 54-1 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 54-1
Why it matters
This case defines the scope of U.S. civil jurisdiction over foreign entities. It determines whether victims can seek redress in American courts. The outcome shapes international litigation standards for corporate conduct.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 20-52 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 20-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-44 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 24-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 20-50 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 20-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 24-36 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 24-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 42-34 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 42-34
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 32-14 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 32-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 20-26 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 20-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 50-50 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 50-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 56-34 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 56-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 40-44 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 40-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 12-22 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 12-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 46-48 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 46-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 52-1 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 52-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 44-48 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 44-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 52-54 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 52-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 10-16 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 10-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 36-36 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 36-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 40-44 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 40-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 48-54 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 48-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 8-10 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 8-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 30-34 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 30-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 38-48 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 38-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 10-12 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 10-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 8-36 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 8-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 20-24 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 20-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 42-44 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 42-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 54-1 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 54-1
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 20-52 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 20-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-44 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 24-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 20-50 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 20-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 24-36 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 24-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 42-34 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 42-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 20-52 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 20-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-44 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 24-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 20-50 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 20-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 24-36 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 24-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 42-34 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 42-34
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.