Jam v. International Finance Corp.

This case asked whether the International Finance Corporation could claim the broad lawsuit immunity foreign governments had in 1945, or only the narrower immunity foreign governments have today. The Supreme Court issued a decision on Feb. 27, 2019, after hearing arguments on Oct. 31, 2018.

The answer affects whether people can sue international organizations in U.S. courts when projects they finance allegedly cause harm. That matters for residents, lenders, and development projects like the Gujarat power plant at issue here.

The Supreme Court has finished this docket action. Any further practical steps would happen in lower courts or outside the Court based on the decision.

The case asked what level of immunity the IFC gets under a 1945 federal law. Residents argued the organization should have only the narrower immunity foreign governments have today.

International organizations finance projects around the world. The immunity rule can shape whether communities may bring U.S. lawsuits over alleged environmental or other harms.

The Supreme Court is done with this case. Any remaining proceedings would take place in lower courts, not through another merits step at the justices' level.