CC/Devas (Mauritius) Limited v. Antrix Corp.
In brief
Federal courts may hear qualifying Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act suits against foreign states without a separate showing of minimum contacts.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided 9-0 · June 5, 2025 · Opinion by Justice Alito
- What it’s about
- The Supreme Court ruled that plaintiffs suing a foreign state under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act need not prove that the foreign state has "minimum contacts" with the United States for a federal court to exercise personal jurisdiction.
- Who it affects
- The decision removes an extra barrier for plaintiffs seeking to enforce claims against foreign states in federal court. For example, a company suing a foreign government can proceed without separately showing that government's sufficient U.S. connections.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The Court held that jurisdiction is established solely by meeting the Act's statutory requirements for subject-matter jurisdiction and proper service of process.
The decision clarifies that the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act's own requirements, rather than an additional constitutional contacts test, govern these cases.
Question presented
Must plaintiffs prove minimum contacts before federal courts may assert personal jurisdiction over foreign states sued under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act?
What the Court decided
Holding
Personal jurisdiction exists under the FSIA when an immunity exception applies and service is proper. The FSIA does not require proof of “minimum contacts” over and above the contacts already required by the Act’s enumerated exceptions to foreign sovereign immunity. Reversed and remanded.
- Result
- Reversed
The vote
From the opinions
“Personal jurisdiction exists under the FSIA when an immunity exception applies and service is proper.”
What's next
The case returns to the lower courts for further proceedings under the Supreme Court's rule. Other federal courts must apply the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act's immunity-exception and service requirements without adding a separate minimum-contacts test.
Documents
Docket activity
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More questions
- What did the Supreme Court rule in CC/Devas v. Antrix?
- The Court said plaintiffs need not separately prove minimum contacts with the United States when the Act's immunity exception and service requirements are met.
- Who won CC/Devas v. Antrix?
- CC/Devas and the other plaintiffs won. The Court reversed the Ninth Circuit and sent the case back for further proceedings.
- What does CC/Devas mean for plaintiffs suing foreign states?
- They may establish personal jurisdiction through the Act's requirements without separately proving the foreign state had sufficient contacts with the United States.
- Is a minimum-contacts requirement still the law after CC/Devas?
- No separate minimum-contacts requirement applies in these Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act cases beyond the contacts required by the Act's immunity exceptions.
- What happens next in CC/Devas v. Antrix?
- The lower courts will continue the case using the Supreme Court's rule. They must assess the Act's immunity exception and proper service requirements.
Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.