No. 25-900

Global Marine Exploration, Inc. v. Republic of France, et al.

Lower Court: Eleventh Circuit
Docketed: 2026-02-03
Status: Denied
Type: Paid
Response Waived
Tags: admiralty-law constitutional-avoidance party-presentation salvage-rights statutory-interpretation sunken-military-craft
Latest Conference: 2026-03-20
Question Presented (from Petition)

1. Whether SMCA's prohibition that "no salvage rights or awards shall be granted" bars all admiralty salvage claims—including long-recognized in personam actions—or instead applies only to in rem claims "directed at" the res.

2. Whether the party presentation principle prevents a federal court from considering ordinary tools of statutory interpretation, including context and constitutional avoidance, that bear directly on the meaning of a statute solely because those arguments were primarily developed by amici and the United States.

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the Sunken Military Craft Act bars all admiralty salvage claims or only in rem claims directed at the res, and whether the party presentation principle prevents courts from considering statutory interpretation tools developed by amici

Docket Entries

2026-03-23
Petition DENIED.
2026-03-04
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 3/20/2026.
2026-02-27
Waiver of right of respondent Republic of France to respond filed.
2026-02-25
Waiver of United States of right to respond submitted.
2026-02-25
Waiver of right of respondent United States to respond filed.
2025-12-31
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due March 5, 2026)

Attorneys

Global Marine Exploration, Inc.
Jennifer Ann WinegardnerRayboun Winegardner, PLLC, Petitioner
Republic of France
James A. GooldCovington & Burling, Respondent
United States
D. John SauerSolicitor General, Respondent