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Mystery Subpoena Case at High Court Could Expand U.S. Authority

By Peter B. “Bo” Rutledge and Amanda W. Newton
March 01, 2019

Rare Supreme Court holiday activity and ongoing news coverage about special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation has drawn much attention to the enigmatic case of In Re Grand Jury Subpoena, No. 18-948. In some regards, the matter is unremarkable, presenting familiar issues of international litigation. Upon further examination, however, the case-about which little is publicly known-may have the potential to expand the authority of United States courts over foreign states and their agencies or instrumentalities.

In re Grand Jury Subpoena began when a foreign state-owned corporate entity refused to comply with a subpoena issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia during a grand jury investigation of an undisclosed criminal matter. After the court issued its subpoena, the corporation filed a motion to quash, arguing that its status as a state-owned corporation ensured protection by foreign sovereign immunity and that compliance with the subpoena would force the corporation to violate the laws of its state of incorporation.

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