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Opati v. Republic of Sudan

Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
17-1268 D.C. Cir. Feb 24, 2020 May 18, 2020 8-0 Gorsuch OT 2019

Holding: Plaintiffs in a suit against a foreign state for personal injury or death caused by acts of terrorism under 28 U. S. C. § 1605A(c) may seek punitive damages for preenactment conduct.

Judgment: Vacated and remanded, 8-0, in an opinion by Justice Gorsuch on May 18, 2020. Justice Kavanaugh took no part in the consideration or decision of this case.

DateProceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
Dec 22 2017Application (17A680) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from January 1, 2018 to March 2, 2018, submitted to The Chief Justice.
Dec 27 2017Application (17A680) granted by The Chief Justice extending the time to file until March 2, 2018.
Mar 02 2018Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due April 9, 2018)
Apr 09 2018Brief of respondents Republic of Sudan, et al. in opposition filed.
May 08 2018Reply of petitioners Monicah Okoba Opati, et al. filed.
May 22 2018DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 6/7/2018.
Jun 11 2018The Solicitor General is invited to file a brief in this case expressing the views of the United States.
May 21 2019Brief amicus curiae of United States filed.
Jun 04 2019DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 6/20/2019.
Jun 04 2019Supplemental brief of respondents Republic of Sudan, et al. filed. (Distributed)
Jun 26 2019DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 6/27/2019.
Jun 28 2019Petition GRANTED limited to Question 2 presented by the petition. Justice Kavanaugh took no part in the consideration or decision of this petition.
Jul 26 2019Joint motion for an extension of time to file the briefs on the merits filed.
Aug 02 2019Joint motion to extend the time to file the briefs on the merits granted. The time to file the joint appendix and petitioners' brief on the merits is extended to and including September 17, 2019. The time to file respondents' brief on the merits is extended to and including November 22, 2019.
Sep 17 2019Brief of petitioners Monicah Okoba Opati, et al. filed.
Sep 17 2019Joint appendix filed.
Sep 24 2019Brief amicus curiae of United States filed.
Nov 22 2019Brief of respondents Republic of Sudan, et al. filed.
Nov 26 2019Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument filed.
Nov 26 2019SET FOR ARGUMENT on Monday, February 24, 2020.
Dec 09 2019Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument GRANTED. Justice Kavanaugh took no part in the consideration or decision of this motion.
Dec 23 2019Reply of petitioners Monicah Okoba Opati, et al. filed.
Jan 09 2020Record requested from the U.S.C.A. District of Columbia Circuit.
Jan 13 2020The record from the U.S.D.C. DC circuit is electronic and located on PACER.
Jan 21 2020CIRCULATED
Feb 24 2020Argued. For petitioners: Matthew D. McGill, Washington, D. C.; and Erica L. Ross, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. (for United States, as amicus curiae.) For respondents: Christopher M. Curran, Washington, D. C.
May 18 2020Judgment VACATED and case REMANDED. Gorsuch, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which all other Members joined, except Kavanaugh, J., who took no part in the consideration or decision of the case. Justice Kavanaugh took no part in the consideration or decision of this petition.
Jun 19 2020JUDGMENT ISSUED.