No. 18-997

Oliver Williams, et al. v. The National Gallery, London, et al.

Lower Court: Second Circuit
Docketed: 2019-01-31
Status: Denied
Type: Paid
Response Waived
Tags: expropriation-exception foreign-sovereign-immunities-act international-law jurisdiction property-rights sovereign-immunity subject-matter-jurisdiction takings wrongful-possession
Key Terms:
Takings JusticiabilityDoctri
Latest Conference: 2019-03-15
Question Presented (AI Summary)

Is a sovereign's, or its instrumentality's, refusal to return property wrongfully held a taking of rights in property in violation of international law affording subject matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1605(a)(3)

Question Presented (from Petition)

QUESTION PRESENTED The Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (“FSIA”) provides the sole basis for the exercise of jurisdiction over foreign sovereigns, and their instrumentalities, in the courts of this country. Pursuant to the FSIA, a foreign state shall be immune from jurisdiction of the United States and the States subject to certain specific exceptions. 28 U.S.C. § 1604. One significant exception provides, in relevant part, that “A Foreign State shall not be immune from the jurisdiction of the United States or the States in any case... in which rights in property taken in violation of international law are in issue.28 U.S.C. § 1605(a)(3) (“The Expropriation Exception”)”. One question is presented: Is a sovereign’s, or its instrumentality’s, refusal to return property wrongfully held a taking of rights in property in violation of international law affording subject matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1605(a)(3) in instances where the sovereign was not involved in the initial, physical taking of the property but is in alleged wrongful possession of the property and refuses -after demandto return the property?

Docket Entries

2019-03-18
Petition DENIED.
2019-02-27
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 3/15/2019.
2019-02-25
Waiver of right of respondents The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to respond filed.
2019-02-14
Waiver of right of respondents The National Gallery of Art, London; The American Friends of the National Gallery, London, Inc. to respond filed.
2019-01-28
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due March 4, 2019)

Attorneys

Oliver Williams, et al.
Andrew Lloyd TiajoloffTiajoloff & Kelly LLP, Petitioner
Andrew Lloyd TiajoloffTiajoloff & Kelly LLP, Petitioner
The National Gallery of Art, London; The American Friends of the National Gallery, London, Inc.
Sarah Erickson AndreNixon Peabody LLP, Respondent
Sarah Erickson AndreNixon Peabody LLP, Respondent
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Donald I BakerBaker & Miller PLLC, Respondent
Donald I BakerBaker & Miller PLLC, Respondent