The issue at hand in Jam v. International Finance Corp. is whether the International Organizations Immunities Act (IOIA), which gives international organizations the “same immunity” as sovereigns have from suits, confers the same type of immunity as those foreign governments have under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FISA). The lawsuit began when farmers and fishermen in India were affected economically by the development of a coal-plant in India, by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which is housed in D.C. and seeks to give aid and support to struggling communities in developing countries around the world. When the petitioners failed at the district and appellate court levels, they appealed up to the Supreme Court, who agreed to take the case while Justice Kennedy was still on the Court. Associate Justice Kavanaugh will sit out on the oral arguments and decision, as he was on the D.C. Circuit when this case was originally heard before that court.
Edwin D. Williamson will address the concerns at stake here, including the involvement of U.S. courts in international human rights issues (including environmental).
Featuring:
Edwin D. Williamson, Retired Partner, Sullivan & Cromwell

Teleforum calls are open to all dues paying members of the Federalist Society. To become a member, sign up here. As a member, you should receive email announcements of upcoming Teleforum calls which contain the conference call phone number. If you are not receiving those email announcements, please contact us at 202-822-8138.