Alien Tort Statute (ATS)

28 U.S.C. § 1350

The Alien Tort Statute (ATS) is an 18th century statute that provides U.S. district courts with jurisdiction over claims brought by foreigners for torts that violate international law. The ATS lay virtually dormant for nearly 200 years until creative corporate accountability lawyers began using it to bring claims on behalf of non-U.S. victims of human rights abuse against both state and non-state actors. U.S. Supreme Court decisions over the last decade have drastically narrowed the viability of corporate accountability cases under the statute. This section explores potential opportunities remaining under the ATS.