Opati v. Republic of Sudan

Docket No.	Argument	Opinion	Vote	Author	Term
17-1268	Feb 24, 2020	May 18, 2020	8-0	Gorsuch	OT 2019

Holding: Plaintiffs in a suit against a foreign state for personal injury or death caused by acts of terrorism under 28 U. S. C. " 1605A(c) may seek punitive damages for preenactment conduct.

Judgment: Vacated and remanded, 8-0, in an opinion by Justice Gorsuch on May 18, 2020. Justice Kavanaugh took no part in the consideration or decision of this case.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

Live blog of orders and opinions (Update: Completed) (Kalvis Golde, May 18, 2020)
Opinion analysis: Unanimous ruling for plaintiffs on punitive damages for embassy bombings (Amy Howe, May 18, 2020)
Argument analysis: Justices parse retroactivity and immunity for foreign governments (Amy Howe, February 24, 2020)
Argument preview: Justices to consider availability of punitive damages under FSIA (Amy Howe, February 18, 2020)
Solicitor general files invitation briefs (Amy Howe, June 5, 2019)

Date	Proceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
12/22/2017	Application (17A680) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from January 1, 2018 to March 2, 2018, submitted to The Chief Justice.
12/27/2017	Application (17A680) granted by The Chief Justice extending the time to file until March 2, 2018.
03/02/2018	Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due April 9, 2018)
04/09/2018	Brief of respondents Republic of Sudan, et al. in opposition filed.
05/08/2018	Reply of petitioners Monicah Okoba Opati, et al. filed.
05/22/2018	DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 6/7/2018.
06/11/2018	The Solicitor General is invited to file a brief in this case expressing the views of the United States.
05/21/2019	Brief amicus curiae of United States filed.
06/04/2019	DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 6/20/2019.
06/04/2019	Supplemental brief of respondents Republic of Sudan, et al. filed. (Distributed)
06/26/2019	DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 6/27/2019.
06/28/2019	Petition GRANTED limited to Question 2 presented by the petition. Justice Kavanaugh took no part in the consideration or decision of this petition.
07/26/2019	Joint motion for an extension of time to file the briefs on the merits filed.
08/02/2019	Joint motion to extend the time to file the briefs on the merits granted. The time to file the joint appendix and petitioners' brief on the merits is extended to and including September 17, 2019. The time to file respondents' brief on the merits is extended to and including November 22, 2019.
09/17/2019	Brief of petitioners Monicah Okoba Opati, et al. filed.
09/17/2019	Joint appendix filed.
09/24/2019	Brief amicus curiae of United States filed.
11/22/2019	Brief of respondents Republic of Sudan, et al. filed.
11/26/2019	Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument filed.
11/26/2019	SET FOR ARGUMENT on Monday, February 24, 2020.
12/09/2019	Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument GRANTED. Justice Kavanaugh took no part in the consideration or decision of this motion.
12/23/2019	Reply of petitioners Monicah Okoba Opati, et al. filed.
01/09/2020	Record requested from the U.S.C.A. District of Columbia Circuit.
01/13/2020	The record from the U.S.D.C. DC circuit is electronic and located on PACER.
01/21/2020	CIRCULATED
02/24/2020	Argued. For petitioners: Matthew D. McGill, Washington, D. C.; and Erica L. Ross, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. (for United States, as amicus curiae.) For respondents: Christopher M. Curran, Washington, D. C.
05/18/2020	Judgment VACATED and case REMANDED. Gorsuch, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which all other Members joined, except Kavanaugh, J., who took no part in the consideration or decision of the case. Justice Kavanaugh took no part in the consideration or decision of this petition.
06/19/2020	JUDGMENT ISSUED.