Cisco Systems, Inc., et al., Petitioners v. Doe I, et al.
This case asks whether U.S. courts can hold corporations liable for aiding and abetting human rights abuses under the Alien Tort Statute or the Torture Victim Protection Act. The lawsuit involves allegations that Cisco Systems assisted the Chinese government in its persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.
Case overview
- Dispute
- This case asks whether U.S. courts can hold corporations liable for aiding and abetting human rights abuses under the Alien Tort Statute or the Torture Victim Protection Act. The lawsuit involves allegations that Cisco Systems assisted the Chinese government in its persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.
- Issue
- The Court is deciding whether does either the Alien Tort Statute or the Torture Victim Protection Act allow a judicially-implied private right of action for aiding and abetting.
- Current posture
- Argued Apr 28, 2026.
Question
Question presented
Does either the Alien Tort Statute or the Torture Victim Protection Act allow a judicially-implied private right of action for aiding and abetting?
Plain English
The Court is deciding whether does either the Alien Tort Statute or the Torture Victim Protection Act allow a judicially-implied private right of action for aiding and abetting.
Procedural posture
- Originating court
- United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- Supreme Court review
- Awaiting Decision
- Argument
- Held Apr 28, 2026
- Opinion
- Not released
Who is watching
- Legal area
- Civil Rights
- Institutional path
- United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit decision under Supreme Court review
- What changes next
- The next public milestone is the Court's disposition.
- Term context
- Awaiting Decision in October Term 2025 (2025–2026)
Source trail
Primary materials plus reporting.
Plain-English explainer. Court records remain authoritative. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
MethodologyRefreshed May 17, 2026.
Primary materials
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