Court won't block US lawsuit by apartheid victims

Lawyer Blogs

The Supreme Court said Monday that it can't intervene in an important dispute over the rights of apartheid victims to sue U.S. corporations in U.S. courts because four of the nine justices had to sit out the case over apparent conflicts.

The result is that a lawsuit accusing some prominent companies of violating international law by assisting South Africa's former apartheid government will go forward.

The court's hands were tied by federal laws that require at least six justices to hear any case before them.

Short of the required number by one, the court took the only path available to it and upheld an appeals court ruling allowing the suit to proceed.

The justices have ties to Bank of America, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Colgate-Palmolive, Credit Suisse, Exxon Mobil, Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Nestle, among nearly three dozen companies that asked the high court to step in.

Related listings

  • Invoking history, Bush wants court out of subpoena fight

    Invoking history, Bush wants court out of subpoena fight

    Lawyer Blogs 05/10/2008

    If there's one thing Congress and the Bush administration can agree on, it's that they've got a fight of historic proportions on their hands.The House Judiciary Committee is demanding documents and testimony from President Bush's closest advisers abo...

  • High court says gay partners can't get health benefits

    High court says gay partners can't get health benefits

    Lawyer Blogs 05/08/2008

    A same-sex marriage ban prevents governments and universities in Michigan from providing health insurance to the partners of gay workers, the state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday.The 5-2 decision affects up to 20 universities, community colleges, scho...

  • Court refuses to block execution in Ga.

    Court refuses to block execution in Ga.

    Lawyer Blogs 05/07/2008

    The Supreme Court has refused to block the execution of a prisoner in Georgia, clearing the last obstacle to the resumption of capital punishment in the U.S. after a 7-month pause.William Earl Lynd was scheduled to die Tuesday evening. He would be th...

New Rochelle, New York Personal Injury Lawyers

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact Kommer, Bave & Ollman, LLP, in New Rochelle, New York, immediately. We can answer all your questions and work with you to determine if you have the grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. The attorneys at our firm are determined to resolve even the most difficult of cases. We will work closely with you to determine the best course of action to get your claim or case resolved in the most efficient way possible. We will fight for your right to compensation! No one should have to suffer a financial burden from the result of another person’s carelessness. The attorneys at Kommer, Bave & Ollman, LLP will aggressively fight to ensure that justice is served on your behalf.

Business News

New York & New Jersey Family Law Matters We represent our clients in all types of proceedings that include termination of parental rights. >> read