International law litigation is a specialized practice area focusing on holding foreign states and entities accountable for human rights violations and other illegal acts. This field combines elements of international law, human rights, and complex civil litigation.
International Law Litigation
- Legal Framework:
- Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA)
- Torture Victim Protection Act (TVPA)
- Alien Tort Statute (ATS)
- Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA)
- Primary Objectives:
- Seek compensation for victims of human rights abuses
- Hold state sponsors of violence accountable
- Deter future violations through legal and financial consequences
- Challenges:
- Overcoming sovereign immunity defenses
- Establishing jurisdiction over foreign entities
- Gathering evidence across international borders
- Enforcing judgments against foreign states
- Notable Case Types:
- Human rights violations
- State-sponsored violence
- Extrajudicial killings
- Torture claims
- Crimes against humanity