October Term 2020 · Docket 19-416
Does the Alien Tort Statute allow suits against U.S. companies for foreign child labor?
Former child slaves seek damages from U.S. corporations for foreign labor abuses.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion 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. Katyal argued the statute has never supported such claims. He emphasized the lack of historical precedent.
Mr. Hoffman argued the first Congress intended broad coverage. He cited the statute's original purpose.
Mr. Gannon argued the government supports eliminating child labor. He highlighted federal policy alignment.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 39-25 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 39-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 35-13 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 35-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 25-39 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 25-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 13-11 — Transcript, file page 32, lines 13-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 33-17 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 33-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 9-29 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 9-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 9-27 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 9-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 7-25 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 7-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 35-17 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 35-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 49-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 85, lines 15-53 — Transcript, file page 85, lines 15-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 17-27
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests the reach of the Alien Tort Statute. It asks if U.S. courts can hear claims against American companies for foreign conduct.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 13-11 — Transcript, file page 32, lines 13-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 33-17 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 33-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 85, lines 15-53 — Transcript, file page 85, lines 15-53
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 1, 2020.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 35-17 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 35-17
What each side wants
Nestlé and Cargill want the case dismissed. They argue the statute does not apply to foreign conduct.
The plaintiffs want to proceed with their lawsuit. They seek compensation for forced labor abroad.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 13-11 — Transcript, file page 32, lines 13-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 33-17 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 33-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 85, lines 15-53 — Transcript, file page 85, lines 15-53
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue the statute lacks extraterritorial reach. They claim it cannot cover foreign corporate conduct.
the opposing sides argue the statute provides a federal forum. They claim it covers law of nations violations.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 13-11 — Transcript, file page 32, lines 13-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 33-17 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 33-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 85, lines 15-53 — Transcript, file page 85, lines 15-53
What the justices asked
Justice Breyer asked about the Marbois affair of 1784. He questioned the historical basis for corporate liability.
Justice Alito asked about hypothetical results. He challenged the practical implications of the opposing sides' arguments.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 39-25 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 39-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 35-13 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 35-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 25-39 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 25-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 9-29 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 9-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 9-27 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 9-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 7-25 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 7-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 35-17 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 35-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 49-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 17-27
Why it matters
The outcome defines the scope of federal jurisdiction. It determines whether U.S. companies face liability for foreign labor practices. This affects global corporate accountability standards.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 13-11 — Transcript, file page 32, lines 13-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 33-17 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 33-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 85, lines 15-53 — Transcript, file page 85, lines 15-53
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 10, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 39-25 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 39-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 35-13 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 35-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 25-39 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 25-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 9-29 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 9-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 9-27 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 9-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 7-25 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 7-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 35-17 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 35-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 49-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 17-27
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 13-11 — Transcript, file page 32, lines 13-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 33-17 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 33-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 85, lines 15-53 — Transcript, file page 85, lines 15-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 13-11 — Transcript, file page 32, lines 13-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 33-17 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 33-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 85, lines 15-53 — Transcript, file page 85, lines 15-53
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.