Exxon Subject to Indonesian Villagers’ Claims Under Alien Tort Statute, D.C. Circuit Decides

Exxon Mobil Corp. may face claims under the Alien Tort Statute brought against it in federal district court by Indonesian villagers claiming that the company’s security force at its facility in the Aceh province subjected them and family members to murder, torture, sexual assault, battery, and false imprisonment, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit held July 8 (Doe v. Exxon Mobil Corp.).

The opinion by Judge Judith W. Rogers highlighted several circuit splits, including one over whether the ATS applies to corporations. The D.C. Circuit held that it does, but the Second Circuit ...