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Online Attorney
d that: "The amendments made
by this Act [amending this section and section 1610 of this title]
shall apply to actions commenced on or after the date of the
enactment of this Act [Nov. 9, 1988]."
CIVIL LIABILITY FOR ACTS OF STATE SPONSORED TERRORISM
Pub. L. 104-208, div. A, title I, Sec. 101(c) [title V, Sec.
589], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009-121, 3009-172, provided that:
"(a) an [sic] official, employee, or agent of a foreign state
designated as a state sponsor of terrorism designated [sic] under
section 6(j) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 [50 App.
U.S.C. 2405(j)] while acting within the scope of his or her office,
employment, or agency shall be liable to a United States national
or the national's legal representative for personal injury or death
caused by acts of that official, employee, or agent for which the
courts of the United States may maintain jurisdiction under section
1605(a)(7) of title 28, United States Code, for money damages which
may include economic damages, solatium, pain, and suffering, and
punitive damages if the acts were among those described in section
1605(a)(7).
"(b) Provisions related to statute of limitations and limitations
on discovery that would apply to an action brought under 28 U.S.C.
1605(f) and (g) shall also apply to actions brought under this
section. No action shall be maintained under this action [sic] if
an official, employee, or agent of the United States, while acting
within the scope of his or her office, employment, or agency would
not be liable for such acts if carried out within the United
States."
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 1330, 1391, 1604, 1606,
1607, 1610 of this title; title 15 section 15.
-End-
-CITE-
28 USC Sec. 1606 01/19/04
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 28 - JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE
PART IV - JURISDICTION AND VENUE
CHAPTER 97 - JURISDICTIONAL IMMUNITIES OF FOREIGN STATES
-HEAD-
Sec. 1606. Extent of liability
-STATUTE-
As to any claim for relief with respect to which a foreign state
is not entitled to immunity under section 1605 or 1607 of this
chapter, the foreign state shall be liable in the same manner and
to the same extent as a private individual under like
circumstances; but a foreign state except for an agency or
instrumentality thereof shall not be liable for punitive damages;
if, however, in any case wherein death was caused, the law of the
place where the action or omission occurred provides, or has been
construed to provide, for damages only punitive in nature, the
foreign state shall be liable for actual or compensatory damages
measured by the pecuniary injuries resulting from such death which
were incurred by the persons for whose benefit the action was
brought.
-SOURCE-
(Added Pub. L. 94-583, Sec. 4(a), Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2894;
amended Pub. L. 105-277, div. A, Sec. 101(h) [title I, Sec.
117(b)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681-480, 2681-491; Pub. L.
106-386, div. C, Sec. 2002(g)(2), formerly Sec. 2002(f)(2), Oct.
28, 2000, 114 Stat. 1543, renumbered Sec. 2002(g)(2), Pub. L.
107-297, title II, Sec. 201(c)(3), Nov. 26, 2002, 116 Stat. 2337.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
2000 - Pub. L. 106-386, Sec. 2002(g)(2), formerly Sec.
2002(f)(2), as renumbered by Pub. L. 107-297, which directed repeal
of section 101(h) [title I, Sec. 117(b)] of div. A of Pub. L.
105-277, was executed by striking out ", except any action under
section 1605(a)(7) or 1610(f)" after "punitive damages", to reflect
the probable intent of Congress. See 1998 Amendment note below.
1998 - Pub. L. 105-277 inserted ", except any action under
section 1605(a)(7) or 1610(f)" after "punitive damages".
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1998 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 105-277 applicable to any claim for which a
foreign state is not immune under section 1605(a)(7) of this title
arising before, on, or after Oct. 21, 1998, see section 101(h)
[title I, Sec. 117(c)] of Pub. L. 105-277, set out as a note under
section 1610 of this title.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 1330, 1604 of this title.
-End-
-CITE-
28 USC Sec. 1607 01/19/04
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 28 - JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE
PART IV - JURISDICTION AND VENUE
CHAPTER 97 - JURISDICTIONAL IMMUNITIES OF FOREIGN STATES
-HEAD-
Sec. 1607. Counterclaims
-STATUTE-
In any action brought by a foreign state, or in which a foreign
state intervenes, in a court of the United States or of a State,
the foreign state shall not be accorded immunity with respect to
any counterclaim -
(a) for which a foreign state would not be entitled to immunity
under section 1605 of this chapter had such claim been brought in
a separate action against the foreign state; or
(b) arising out of the transaction or occurrence that is the
subject matter of the claim of the foreign state; or
(c) to the extent that the counterclaim does not seek relief
exceeding in amount or differing in kind from that sought by the
foreign state.
-SOURCE-
(Added Pub. L. 94-583, Sec. 4(a), Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2894.)
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 1330, 1604, 1605, 1606 of
this title.
-End-
-CITE-
28 USC Sec. 1608 01/19/04
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 28 - JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE
PART IV - JURISDICTION AND VENUE
CHAPTER 97 - JURISDICTIONAL IMMUNITIES OF FOREIGN STATES
-HEAD-
Sec. 1608. Service; time to answer; default
-STATUTE-
(a) Service in the courts of the United States and of the States
shall be made upon a foreign state or political subdivision of a
foreign state:
(1) by delivery of a copy of the summons and complaint in
accordance with any special arrangement for service between the
plaintiff and the foreign state or political subdivision; or
(2) if no special arrangement exists, by delivery of a copy of
the summons and complaint in accordance with an applicable
international convention on service of judicial documents; or
(3) if service cannot be made under paragraphs (1) or (2), by
sending a copy of the summons and complaint and a notice of suit,
together with a translation of each into the official language of
the foreign state, by any form of mail requiring a signed
receipt, to be addressed and dispatched by the clerk of the court
to the head of the ministry of foreign affairs of the foreign
state concerned, or
(4) if service cannot be made within 30 days under paragraph
(3), by sending two copies of the summons and complaint and a
notice of suit, together with a translation of each into the
official language of the foreign state, by any form of mail
requiring a signed receipt, to be addressed and dispatched by the
clerk of the court to the Secretary of State in Washington,
District of Columbia, to the attention of the Director of Special
Consular Services - and the Secretary shall transmit one copy of
the papers through diplomatic channels to the foreign state and
shall send to the clerk of the court a certified copy of the
diplomatic note indicating when the papers were transmitted.
As used in this subsection, a "notice of suit" shall mean a notice
addressed to a foreign state and in a form prescribed by the
Secretary of State by regulation.
(b) Service in the courts of the United States and of the States
shall be made upon an agency or instrumentality of a foreign state:
(1) by delivery of a copy of the summons and complaint in
accordance with any special arrangement for service between the
plaintiff and the agency or instrumentality; or
(2) if no special arrangement exists, by delivery of a copy of
the summons and complaint either to an officer, a managing or
general agent, or to any other agent authorized by appointment or
by law to receive service of process in the United States; or in
accordance with an applicable international convention on service
of judicial documents; or
(3) if service cannot be made under paragraphs (1) or (2), and
if reasonably calculated to give actual notice, by delivery of a
copy of the summons and complaint, together with a translation of
each into the official language of the foreign state -
(A) as directed by an authority of the foreign state or
political subdivision in response to a letter rogatory or
request or
(B) by any form of mail requiring a signed receipt, to be
addressed and dispatched by the clerk of the court to the
agency or instrumentality to be served, or
(C) as directed by order of the court consistent with the law
of the place where service is to be made.
(c) Service shall be deemed to have been made -
(1) in the case of service under subsection (a)(4), as of the
date of transmittal indicated in the certified copy of the
diplomatic note; and
(2) in any other case under this section, as of the date of
receipt indicated in the certification, signed and returned
postal receipt, or other proof of service applicable to the
method of service employed.
(d) In any action brought in a court of the United States or of a
State, a foreign state, a political subdivision thereof, or an
agency or instrumentality of a foreign state shall serve an answer
or other responsive pleading to the complaint within sixty days
after service has been made under this section.
(e) No judgment by default shall be entered by a court of the
United States or of a State against a foreign state, a political
subdivision thereof, or an agency or instrumentality of a foreign
state, unless the claimant establishes his claim or right to relief
by evidence satisfactory to the court. A copy of any such default
judgment shall be sent to the foreign state or political
subdivision in the manner prescribed for service in this section.
-SOURCE-
(Added Pub. L. 94-583, Sec. 4(a), Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2894.)
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 1330, 1603, 1605, 1610 of
this title; title 22 section 6082.
-End-
-CITE-
28 USC Sec. 1609 01/19/04
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 28 - JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE
PART IV - JURISDICTION AND VENUE
CHAPTER 97 - JURISDICTIONAL IMMUNITIES OF FOREIGN STATES
-HEAD-
Sec. 1609. Immunity from attachment and execution of property of a
foreign state
-STATUTE-
Subject to existing international agreements to which the United
States is a party at the time of enactment of this Act the property
in the United States of a foreign state shall be immune from
attachment arrest and execution except as provided in sections 1610
and 1611 of this chapter.
-SOURCE-
(Added Pub. L. 94-583, Sec. 4(a), Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2895.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The time of enactment of this Act, referred to in text, probably
means the time of enactment of Pub. L. 94-583, which was approved
Oct. 21, 1976.
-End-
-CITE-
28 USC Sec. 1610 01/19/04
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 28 - JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE
PART IV - JURISDICTION AND VENUE
CHAPTER 97 - JURISDICTIONAL IMMUNITIES OF FOREIGN STATES
-HEAD-
Sec. 1610. Exceptions to the immunity from attachment or execution
-STATUTE-
(a) The property in the United States of a foreign state, as
defined in section 1603(a) of this chapter, used for a commercial
activity in the United States, shall not be immune from attachment
in aid of execution, or from execution, upon a judgment entered by
a court of the United States or of a State after the effective date
of this Act, if -
(1) the foreign state has waived its immunity from attachment
in aid of execution or from execution either explicitly or by
implication, notwithstanding any withdrawal of the waiver the
foreign state may purport to effect except in accordance with the
terms of the waiver, or
(2) the property is or was used for the commercial activity
upon which the claim is based, or
(3) the execution relates to a judgment establishing rights in
property which has been taken in violation of international law
or which has been exchanged for property taken in violation of
international law, or
(4) the execution relates to a judgment establishing rights in
property -
(A) which is acquired by succession or gift, or
(B) which is immovable and situated in the United States:
Provided, That such property is not used for purposes of
maintaining a diplomatic or consular mission or the residence
of the Chief of such mission, or
(5) the property consists of any contractual obligation or any
proceeds from such a contractual obligation to indemnify or hold
harmless the foreign state or its employees under a policy of
automobile or other liability or casualty insurance covering the
claim which merged into the judgment, or
(6) the judgment is based on an order confirming an arbitral
award rendered against the foreign state, provided that
attachment in aid of execution, or execution, would not be
inconsistent with any provision in the arbitral agreement, or
(7) the judgment relates to a claim for which the foreign state
is not immune under section 1605(a)(7), regardless of whether the
property is or was involved with the act upon which the claim is
based.
(b) In addition to subsection (a), any property in the United
States of an agency or instrumentality of a foreign state engaged
in commercial activity in the United States shall not be immune
from attachment in aid of execution, or from execution, upon a
judgment entered by a court of the United States or of a State
after the effective date of this Act, if -
(1) the agency or instrumentality has waived its immunity from
attachment in aid of execution or from execution either
explicitly or implicitly, notwithstanding any withdrawal of the
waiver the agency or instrumentality may purport to effect except
in accordance with the terms of the waiver, or
(2) the judgment relates to a claim for which the agency or
instrumentality is not immune by virtue of section 1605(a)(2),
(3), (5), or (7), or 1605(b) of this chapter, regardless of
whether the property is or was involved in the act upon which the
claim is based.
(c) No attachment or execution referred to in subsections (a) and
(b) of this section shall be permitted until the court has ordered
such attachment and execution after having determined that a
reasonable period of time has elapsed following the entry of
judgment and the giving of any notice required under section
1608(e) of this chapter.
(d) The property of a foreign state, as defined in section
1603(a) of this chapter, used for a commercial activity in the
United States, shall not be immune from attachment prior to the
entry of judgment in any action brought in a court of the United
States or of a State, or prior to the elapse of the period of time
provided in subsection (c) of this section, if -
(1) the foreign state has explicitly waived its immunity from
attachment prior to judgment, notwithstanding any withdrawal of
the waiver the foreign state may purport to effect except in
accordance with the terms of the waiver, and
(2) the purpose of the attachment is to secure satisfaction of
a judgment that has been or may ultimately be entered against the
foreign state, and not to obtain jurisdiction.
(e) The vessels of a foreign state shall not be immune from
arrest in rem, interlocutory sale, and execution in actions brought
to foreclose a preferred mortgage as provided in section 1605(d).
(f)(1)(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including
but not limited to section 208(f) of the Foreign Missions Act (22
U.S.C. 4308(f)), and except as provided in subparagraph (B), any
property with respect to which financial transactions are
prohibited or regulated pursuant to section 5(b) of the Trading
with the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. App. 5(b)), section 620(a) of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2370(a)), sections 202
and 203 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50
U.S.C. 1701-1702), or any other proclamation, order, regulation, or
license issued pursuant thereto, shall be subject to execution or
attachment in aid of execution of any judgment relating to a claim
for which a foreign state (including any agency or instrumentality
or such state) claiming such property is not immune under section
1605(a)(7).
(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply if, at the time the property
is expropriated or seized by the foreign state, the property has
been held in title by a natural person or, if held in trust, has
been held for the benefit of a natural person or persons.
(2)(A) At the request of any party in whose favor a judgment has
been issued with respect to a claim for which the foreign state is
not immune under section 1605(a)(7), the Secretary of the Treasury
and the Secretary of State should make every effort to fully,
promptly, and effectively assist any judgment creditor or any court
that has issued any such judgment in identifying, locating, and
executing against the property of that foreign state or any agency
or instrumentality of such state.
(B) In providing such assistance, the Secretaries -
(i) may provide such information to the court under seal; and
(ii) should make every effort to provide the information in a
manner sufficient to allow the court to direct the United States
Marshall's office to promptly and effectively execute against
that property.
(3) Waiver. - The President may waive any provision of paragraph
(1) in the interest of national security.
-SOURCE-
(Added Pub. L. 94-583, Sec. 4(a), Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2896;
amended Pub. L. 100-640, Sec. 2, Nov. 9, 1988, 102 Stat. 3333; Pub.
L. 100-669, Sec. 3, Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3969; Pub. L. 101-650,
title III, Sec. 325(b)(9), Dec. 1, 1990, 104 Stat. 5121; Pub. L.
104-132, title II, Sec. 221(b), Apr. 24, 1996, 110 Stat. 1242; Pub.
L. 105-277, div. A, Sec. 101(h) [title I, Sec. 117(a)], Oct. 21,
1998, 112 Stat. 2681-480, 2681-491; Pub. L. 106-386, div. C, Sec.
2002(g)(1), formerly Sec. 2002(f)(1), Oct. 28, 2000, 114 Stat.
1543, renumbered Sec. 2002(g)(1), Pub. L. 107-297, title II, Sec.
201(c)(3), Nov. 26, 2002, 116 Stat. 2337.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The effective date of this Act, referred to in subsecs. (a) and
(b), is 90 days after Oct. 21, 1976, see section 8 of Pub. L.
94-583, set out as an Effective Date note under section 1602 of
this title.
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
2000 - Subsec. (f)(2)(A), (B)(ii). Pub. L. 106-386, Sec.
2002(g)(1)(A), formerly Sec. 2002(f)(1)(A), as renumbered by Pub.
L. 107-297, substituted "should make every effort to" for "shall".
Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 106-386, Sec. 2002(g)(1)(B), formerly
Sec. 2002(f)(1)(B), as renumbered by Pub. L. 107-297, added par.
(3).
1998 - Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 105-277 added subsec. (f).
1996 - Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 104-132, Sec. 221(b)(1), added
par. (7).
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 104-132, Sec. 221(b)(2), substituted
"(5), or (7)," for "or (5)," and "involved in the act" for "used
for the activity".
1990 - Subsecs. (a)(6), (e). Pub. L. 101-650 substituted "state"
for "State" after "foreign".
1988 - Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 100-669 added par. (6).
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 100-640 added subsec. (e).
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1998 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 105-277, div. A, Sec. 101(h) [title I, Sec. 117(c)], Oct.
21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681-480, 2681-491, provided that: "The
amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section
and section 1606 of this title] shall apply to any claim for which
a foreign state is not immune under section 1605(a)(7) of title 28,
United States Code, arising before, on, or after the date of
enactment of this Act [Oct. 21, 1998]."
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1996 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 104-132 applicable to any cause of action
arising before, on, or after Apr. 24, 1996, see section 221(c) of
Pub. L. 104-132, set out as a note under section 1605 of this
title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-640 applicable to actions commenced on
or after Nov. 9, 1988, see section 3 of Pub. L. 100-640, set out as
a note under section 1605 of this title.
SATISFACTION OF JUDGMENTS FROM BLOCKED ASSETS OF TERRORISTS,
TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS, AND STATE SPONSORS OF TERRORISM
Pub. L. 107-297, title II, Sec. 201(a), (b), (d), Nov. 26, 2002,
116 Stat. 2337, 2339, provided that:
"(a) In General. - Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
and except as provided in subsection (b), in every case in which a
person has obtained a judgment against a terrorist party on a claim
based upon an act of terrorism, or for which a terrorist party is
not immune under section 1605(a)(7) of title 28, United States
Code, the blocked assets of that terrorist party (including the
blocked assets of any agency or instrumentality of that terrorist
party) shall be subject to execution or attachment in aid of
execution in order to satisfy such judgment to the extent of any
compensatory damages for which such terrorist party has been
adjudged liable.
"(b) Presidential Waiver. -
"(1) In general. - Subject to paragraph (2), upon determining
on an asset-by-asset basis that a waiver is necessary in the
national security interest, the President may waive the
requirements of subsection (a) in connection with (and prior to
the enforcement of) any judicial order directing attachment in
aid of execution or execution against any property subject to the
Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations or the Vienna
Convention on Consular Relations.
"(2) Exception. - A waiver under this subsection shall not
apply to -
"(A) property subject to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic
Relations or the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations that
has been used by the United States for any nondiplomatic
purpose (including use as rental property), or the proceeds of
such use; or
"(B) the proceeds of any sale or transfer for value to a
third party of any asset subject to the Vienna Convention on
Diplomatic Relations or the Vienna Convention on Consular
Relations.
"(d) Definitions. - In this section, the following definitions
shall apply:
"(1) Act of terrorism. - The term 'act of terrorism' means -
"(A) any act or event certified under section 102(1) [Pub. L.
107-297, set out in a note under section 6701 of Title 15,
Commerce and Trade]; or
"(B) to the extent not covered by subparagraph (A), any
terrorist activity (as defined in section 212(a)(3)(B)(iii) of
the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1182(a)(3)(B)(iii))).
"(2) Blocked asset. - The term 'blocked asset' means -
"(A) any asset seized or frozen by the United States under
section 5(b) of the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. App.
5(b)) or under sections 202 and 203 of the International
Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701; 1702); and
"(B) does not include property that -
"(i) is subject to a license issued by the United States
Government for final payment, transfer, or disposition by or
to a person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States
in connection with a transaction for which the issuance of
such license has been specifically required by statute other
than the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50
U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) or the United Nations Participation Act
of 1945 (22 U.S.C. 287 et seq.); or
"(ii) in the case of property subject to the Vienna
Convention on Diplomatic Relations or the Vienna Convention
on Consular Relations, or that enjoys equivalent privileges
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