[IntLawProfessors] Amicus Brief - Chevron/Ecuador/RICO (Steve Donziger) case

[Don Anton]

Apologies for cross-posting

Greetings colleagues,

Most of you are probably aware of the epic litigation that has dragged on for over twenty years between Chevron and communities affected (los afectados) by its operations in Ecuador.  Many may also be aware that back in March there was a final decision on Chevron's RICO claims against the lawyers representing los afectados in New York.  That judgment has now been appealed by los afectados to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in the U.S.  I attach the operative part of the trial court's judgment (I can provide the nearly 500 page decision for those who are interested).

I am writing now because I plan to file an amicus brief in the case on issues related to comity and the exercise of adjudicative jurisdiction under principles of international law. These are issues on which Judge Kaplan was reversed in an interlocutory appeal on a preliminary injunction he issued purporting to preclude the recognition or enforcement of the underlying Ecuadorian judgment relating to environmental devastation caused by Chevron anywhere in the world outside of Ecuador. In the judgment now on appeal, Judge Kaplan, while trying to be more careful in the formulation of the order, has essentially committed the same error.

A group of us joined together in an amicus brief in the interlocutory appeal outlining arguments about why the injunction had to be dissolved - see attached. After thinking about it for a considerable period, I believe that these arguments bear being rehearsed again before the Second Circuit.

I have already approached the contingent who joined the original brief.  I am writing now to see if others might be interested in joining this time around.  If you are interested, please let me know off list.

The amicus briefing deadline in the case is July 8.

Kind regards,
Don Anton
__________________________________________________
Donald K. Anton
Professor of Law
Chair, The ANU Press Board (Law)
Sub-Dean, LLB and JD Programs (Exchanges)
    The Australian National University College of Law

tel: +61.2.6125.3516
email: don.anton at anu.edu.au<mailto:don.anton at anu.edu.au>
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