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Republic of Sudan v. Opati

Certiorari Denied

Petition for certiorari denied on May 26, 2020.

Docket No.17-1406
Op. BelowD.C. Cir.

Issue

(1) Whether the term "extrajudicial killing" means a summary execution by state actors, as is consistent with international law and the statutory text, context and purpose of 28 U.S.C. § 1605A(a); (2) whether foreign sovereign immunity may be withdrawn for emotional distress claims brought by family members of victims under 28 U.S.C. § 1605A(a)(2)(A)(ii); (3) whether 28 U.S.C. § 1605A(c) provides the exclusive remedy for actions brought under 28 U.S.C. § 1605A(a), and forecloses state substantive causes of action previously asserted through the "pass-through" provision of 28 U.S.C. § 1606; (4) whether the statute of limitations contained in 28 U.S.C. § 1605A(b) is jurisdictional in nature and, if it is not, whether the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit should nonetheless have heard Sudan"s limitations defense asserted through its timely, direct appeal; and (5) whether the undisputed fact of civil war, internal strife and partitioning of Sudan into two counties constitutes excusable neglect or extraordinary circumstances for vacatur under Rule 60(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. CVSG: 05/21/2019.

Proceedings & orders timeline

Apr 9, 2018
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due May 10, 2018)
May 8, 2018
Brief of respondents James Owens, et al. in opposition filed.
May 8, 2018
Brief of respondents Monicah Okoba Opati, et al. in opposition filed.
May 22, 2018
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 6/7/2018.
May 22, 2018
Reply of petitioners The Republic of the Sudan, et al. filed. (Distributed)
Jun 11, 2018
The Solicitor General is invited to file a brief in this case expressing the views of the United States.
May 21, 2019
Brief amicus curiae of United States filed.
Jun 4, 2019
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 6/20/2019.
Jun 4, 2019
Supplemental brief of petitioners The Republic of the Sudan, et al. filed. (Distributed)
Jun 26, 2019
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 6/27/2019.
May 18, 2020
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 5/21/2020.
May 19, 2020
Second supplemental brief of petitioners The Republic of the Sudan, et al. filed.
May 26, 2020
Petition DENIED. Justice Kavanaugh took no part in the consideration or decision of this petition.

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