Republic of Hungary v. Simon

Holocaust survivors and their heirs sued Hungary and its national railway in U.S. courts over property allegedly taken during World War II. The Supreme Court set aside the D.C. Circuit's ruling and sent the case back for reconsideration in light of Federal Republic of Germany v. Philipp.

In a per curiam decision issued on February 3, 2021, the Court vacated the D.C. Circuit's ruling and sent the case back in light of Federal Republic of Germany v. Philipp. The prompt does not provide a vote count or separate lineup details.

“for further proceedings consistent with Federal Republic of Germany v. Philipp”

The decision affects whether people can use U.S. courts to sue foreign governments over wartime property losses. For example, the survivors and heirs in this case must now go through more review before their claims can move forward.

The case goes back to the lower courts for further proceedings consistent with Philipp. Those courts must reconsider whether the suit can continue in U.S. court.

The fight was over whether Holocaust survivors and heirs could sue Hungary and its railway in U.S. court for World War II property losses. The Supreme Court told the lower court to reconsider that question under Philipp.

The immediate impact falls on the survivors and heirs who brought this case. More broadly, it matters to people trying to sue foreign governments in U.S. courts over property taken abroad.

The case returns to the lower courts. They must take another look at the claims using the guidance from Federal Republic of Germany v. Philipp.