Mohamad v. Palestinian Authority

Linked with:

• Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum

Disclosure: Goldstein & Russell, P.C. serves as counsel to the petitioners in this case.

Holding: As it is used in the Torture Victim Protection Act, the term “individual” encompasses only natural persons and therefore does not impose liability on organizations.

Judgment: Affirmed, 9-0, in an opinion by Justice Sotomayor on April 18, 2012. Justice Scalia did not join the opinion as to Part III-B. Justice Breyer filed a concurring opinion.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

• In Plain English: Recent decisions (Amy Howe)
• Opinion analysis: Anti-torture law given narrow scope (UPDATED) (Lyle Denniston)
• Kiobel to be expanded and reargued (Lyle Denniston)
• Argument recap: Downhill, from the start (Lyle Denniston)
• SCOTUS for law students (sponsored by Bloomberg Law): Torture and jurisdiction (Stephen Wermiel)
• Argument preview: Human rights abuses and the law (Lyle Denniston)
• Plain English: Recent grants (Amy Howe)
• Court to rule on suing corporations and PLO (UPDATED) (Lyle Denniston)

Briefs and Documents

Merits Briefs for the Petitioners

• Brief for Asid Mohamad et al.
• Reply brief for Asid Mohamad et al.

Amicus Briefs in Support of the Petitioners

• Brief of Yale Law School Center for Global Legal Challenges
• Brief for Former U.S. Senator Arlen Specter et al.
• Brief for Larry Bowoto et al.
• Brief for Professor Juan Méndez, U.N. Special Rapporteur on Torture
• Brief for Nuremberg Scholars Omer Bartov et al.
• Brief for Joseph E. Stiglitz

Amicus Briefs in Support of Neither Party

• Brief for the American Petroleum Institute et al.
• Brief for the United States Supporting Affirmance

Merits Briefs for Respondents

• Brief for Palestinian Authority et al.

Amicus Briefs in Support of the Respondents

• Brief for KBR, Inc.

Certiorari-stage documents

• Opinion below (D.C. Cir.)
• Petition for certiorari
• Brief in opposition