alfred dunhill london cuba argued december decided may intervention nationalization cuba business assets five leading cigar manufacturers former owners fled brought actions petitioner two importers inter alia purchase price cigars shipped importers seized cuban plants following conclusion related litigation cuban interventors named possess occupy seized businesses one cuba respondents herein allowed join actions consolidated trial former owners interventors asserted right sums due three importers postintervention shipments date intervention importers owed various amounts preintervention shipments later paid interventors importers mistakenly believed entitled collect accounts receivable former owners also claimed title demanded payment accounts district acknowledging act state doctrine reaffirmed banco nacional de cuba sabbatino give effect confiscation insofar purported take property cubans cuba held interventors collect due unpaid amounts postintervention shipments held former owners entitled preintervention accounts receivable situs former owners rather interventors held entitled collect accounts importers even though latter already mistakenly paid interventors importers claimed entitled recover payments interventors way setoff counterclaim interventors countered contention repayment obligation debt whose situs cuba refusal pay act state subject question american courts district rejected interventors claim grounds repayment obligation deemed situated nothing occurred qualifying recognition act state importers accordingly allowed set mistaken payments preintervention shipments amounts owed postintervention purchases since petitioner claim interventors exceeded claim petitioner awarded judgment interventors full amount claim smaller judgment deducted appeals agreeing district respects held interventors obligation repay importers situated cuba interventors counsel repudiation obligation constituted act state nevertheless relying first nat city bank banco nacional de cuba held enforcement importers counterclaims barred limits respective claims asserted interventors affirmative judgment awarded petitioner barred act state doctrine extent petitioner claim exceeded debt respect district judgment reversed giving rise petition certiorari case held nothing record case revealing act state respect interventors obligation return sums mistakenly paid pp interventors whose contentions including claimed act state respect preintervention accounts represented confiscation properly rejected courts escape repayment upon basis second later act state involving funds mistakenly paid burden proving act interventors refusal repay mistakenly paid funds constitute act state indicate interventors governmental opposed merely commercial authority refusal gul djemal pp interventors counsel statement trial cuban government interventors denied liability refused make repayment proof act state statute decree order resolution cuban government offered evidence indicating cuban repudiation obligations general obligations herein involved pp white delivered opinion burger powell rehnquist stevens except part iii joined powell filed concurring opinion post stevens filed concurring statement post marshall filed dissenting opinion brennan stewart blackmun joined post victor friedman reargued cause filed supplemental brief petitioner brief original argument peter ehrenhaft victor rabinowitz reargued cause respondents briefs reargument michael krinsky dorian bowman brief original argument mr bowman antonin scalia argued cause amicus curiae urging reversal brief solicitor general bork assistant attorney general lee deputy solicitor general jones bruno ristau robert fiske wilmot hastings filed brief bank boston international amicus curiae urging reversal justice white delivered opinion issue case whether failure respondents return petitioner alfred dunhill london dunhill funds mistakenly paid dunhill cigars sold dunhill certain expropriated cuban cigar businesses act state cuba precluding affirmative judgment respondents rather involved factual legal context litigation arises fully set district opinion case menendez faber coe gregg supp sdny closely related litigation palicio compania brush supp sdny aff cert denied present purposes following recitation suffice cuban government confiscated business assets five leading manufacturers havana cigars companies three corporations two partnerships organized cuban law virtually owners cuban nationals none american companies sold large quantities cigars customers countries including three principal importers dunhill saks saks faber coe gregg faber cuban government named interventors take possession operate business seized cuban concerns interventors continued ship cigars foreign purchasers including importers litigation began former owners cuban companies fled brought various actions three american importers trademark infringement purchase price cigars shipped importers seized cuban plants bore trademarks claimed former owners property following conclusion related litigation palicio compania brush supra cuban interventors republic cuba allowed intervene actions consolidated trial former owners interventors asserted right due three importers postintervention shipments faber dunhill saks also developed date intervention three importers owed sums totaling cigars shipped prior intervention faber dunhill saks latter sums importers paid interventors subsequent intervention assumption interventors entitled collect accounts receivable intervened businesses former owners claimed title demanded payment accounts based act state doctrine reaffirmed banco nacional de cuba sabbatino district held palicio compania brush supra required give full legal effect confiscation five cigar companies insofar purported take property cuban nationals located within cuba interventors accordingly entitled collect importers amounts due unpaid respect shipments made date intervention contrary conclusion reached accounts owing time intervention courts give effect foreign government confiscations without compensation property located republic iraq first nat city bank cert denied situs accounts receivable seizures reach preintervention accounts former owners rather interventors entitled collect importers even though latter already paid interventors mistaken belief fully discharging trade debts ordinary course business conclusion brought fore importers claim payment preintervention accounts made error entitled recover payments interventors way setoff counterclaim although position confiscation entitled sums due preintervention sales rejected district ruled right receive retain payment interventors claimed payments additional ground obligation repay debt situs cuba refusal honor obligation act state subject question courts district rejected position two reasons first repayment obligated properly deemed situated hence remained unaffected purported confiscatory act cuban government second district view nothing occurred qualified recognition act state formal repudiation obligations cuban government decree general application otherwise occurred statement counsel interventors trial cuban government interventors denied liability refused make repayment statement made interventors invoked jurisdiction order pursue claims importers shipments hard conceive statement elevated status act state refusal state honor obligation time considered anything else appeals menendez saks agreed former owners entitled recover importers full amount preintervention accounts receivable also held mistaken payments importers interventors gave rise obligation repay sums contrary district appeals view obligation repay situs cuba repudiated course litigation conduct sufficiently official deemed act state absence evidence interventors acting within scope authority agents cuban government repudiation act state even though embodied formal decree although repudiation interventors obligation considered act state appeals went hold first nat city bank banco nacional de cuba entitled importers recover sums due interventors way setoff amounts due postintervention shipments act state doctrine said bar affirmative judgment awarded dunhill extent claim exceeded debt judgment district reversed respect action subject petition certiorari filed dunhill granting petition requested parties address certain questions first whether statement counsel republic cuba dunhill claim honored constituted act state case argued twice concluded nothing record reveals act state respect interventors obligation return monies mistakenly paid accordingly reverse judgment appeals ii district appeals held purposes litigation interventors entitled preintervention accounts receivable virtue confiscation despite arguments contrary nothing based claim accounts entitled interventors retain monies mistakenly paid accounts importers disturb conclusions appeals nevertheless observed interventors ignored demands return monies fail ed honor importers demand confirmed cuban government counsel trial conduct considered cuban government repudiation obligation return funds constitute act state subject question courts menendez saks agree interventors liability adjudicated various defenses rejected including claimed act state respect preintervention accounts represented cuban confiscation nevertheless escape repayment claiming second later act state involving funds mistakenly paid burden prove act concededly declined pay funds refusal repay necessarily assert anything interventors claimed outset continued claim preintervention accounts receivable obligation return payments accounts neither demonstrate addition authority operate commercial businesses pay bills collect accounts receivable interventors invested sovereign authority repudiate part debts incurred businesses indeed difficult believe power selectively refuse payment legitimate debts arising operation commercial enterprises gul djemal supplier libeled caused arrest gul djemal steamship owned operated commercial purposes turkish government effort recover supplies services sold performed ship ship master duly commissioned officer turkish navy appeared asserted sovereign immunity claiming assertion defeated jurisdiction direct appeal taken held master assertion sovereign immunity insufficient mere representation government master commercial ship furnished basis assuming entitled represent sovereign capacities reason suppose interventors possess governmental opposed commercial authority suppose master gul djemal possessed authority master gul djemal claimed authority assert sovereign immunity interventors claim authority commit act state difference unimportant cases party claimed authority exercise sovereign power authority shown commercial authority thus disagree appeals mere refusal interventors repay funds followed failure prove interventors acting within scope authority agents cuban government satisfied respondents burden establishing act state defense menendez saks consider underhill hernandez heavily relied upon appeals require contrary conclusion case oetjen central leather ricaud american metal apparently concluded facts sufficient demonstrate conduct question public act authority exercise sovereign powers entitled respect courts draw conclusion facts case us district found evidence act state act nonpayment interventors statement counsel interventors trial cuban government interventors denied liability refused make repayment menendez faber coe gregg merely restated respondents original legal position adds little anything proof act state statute decree order resolution cuban government offered evidence indicating cuba repudiated obligations general class thereof sovereign matter determined confiscate amounts due three foreign importers iii assume appeals cuban government purported exercise sovereign power confiscate mistaken payments belonging three foreign creditors repudiate interventors adjudicated obligation return funds nevertheless persuaded arguments petitioner concept act state extended included repudiation purely commercial obligation owed foreign sovereign one commercial instrumentalities cases yet gone far decline expand reach extent necessary affirm appeals distinguishing public governmental acts sovereign one hand private commercial acts novel approach stated chief justice marshall long ago bank planters bank georgia wheat think sound principle government becomes partner trading company divests far concerns transactions company sovereign character takes private citizen instead communicating company privileges prerogatives descends level associates takes character belongs associates business transacted position stated amicus brief filed solicitor general line drawn defining outer limits act state concept repudiations foreign sovereign commercial debts considered acts state beyond legal question courts attached brief opinion appendix letter november department state speaking legal adviser agrees brief filed solicitor general specifically declares believe dunhill case raises act state question case involves act commercial public nature major underpinning act state doctrine policy foreclosing adjudications involving legality acts foreign soil might embarrass executive branch government conduct foreign relations banco nacional de cuba sabbatino based presently expressed views conduct relations foreign countries sense compelled recognize act state purely commercial conduct foreign governments order avoid embarrassing conflicts executive branch contrary reasons turn fear embarrassment conflict likely ensue require repudiation foreign government debts arising operation purely commercial business recognized act state immunized question courts although views years gone evidenced appendix tate letter attached opinion abandoned absolute theory sovereign immunity embraced restrictive view immunity courts granted respect causes action arising foreign state public governmental actions respect arising commercial proprietary actions official policy government since time attached letter november confirms moreover since department state adhered position commercial private activities foreign give rise sovereign immunity implicit position determination adjudications commercial liability foreign impede conduct foreign relations adjudications consistent international law sovereign immunity although one time ordered sovereign immunity extended commercial vessel foreign country absent suggestion immunity executive branch although policy respect merchant ships otherwise berizzi pesaro authority case severely diminished later cases ex parte peru mexico hoffman latter case unanimously denied immunity commercial ship owned possessed mexican government decision rested fact mexican government possession declared every judicial action exercising relinquishing jurisdiction vessel foreign government effect upon relations government hence guiding principle determining whether exercise surrender jurisdiction cases courts act embarrass executive arm conduct foreign affairs cases judicial department government follows action political branch embarrass latter assuming antagonistic jurisdiction lee supra ex parte peru supra therefore courts deny immunity government seen fit allow allow immunity new grounds government seen fit recognize judicial seizure property friendly state may regarded affront dignity may affect relations accepted rule substantive law governing exercise jurisdiction courts accept follow executive determination vessel shall treated immune ex parte peru supra recognition courts immunity upon principles political department government sanctioned may equally embarrassing securing protection national interests recognition nations omitted since time said adopted adhered policy declining extend sovereign immunity commercial dealings foreign governments based policy part fact approach accepted large increasing number foreign international community part fact already adopted policy consenting sued foreign courts connection suits merchant vessels part enormous increase extent foreign sovereigns become involved international trade made essential practice enable persons business rights determined courts appendix opinion infra last years lower courts concluded light decisions ex parte peru supra mexico hoffman supra tate letter changed international environment berizzi pesaro supra longer correctly law declined extend sovereign immunity foreign sovereigns cases arising purely commercial transactions victory transport comisaria general cert denied petrol shipping kingdom greece cert denied premier embassy algeria supp sdny ocean transport government republic ivory coast supp ed la adm milling republic bolivia civ action dc et balik kurumu sales misc harris co republic cuba app indeed fair say restrictive theory sovereign immunity appears generally accepted prevailing law country ali restatement second foreign relations law participation foreign sovereigns international commercial market increased substantially recent years cf international economic report president potential injury private businessmen ultimately international trade system participants international market subject rule law therefore increased correspondingly noted courts countries also recently adopted restrictive theory sovereign immunity equal importance fact subjecting foreign governments rule law commercial dealings presents much smaller risk affronting sovereignty attempt pass legality governmental acts commercial capacities foreign governments exercise powers peculiar sovereigns instead exercise powers also exercised private citizens subjecting connection acts rules law apply private citizens unlikely touch sharply national nerves moreover noted greater degree codification consensus concerning particular area international law appropriate judiciary render decisions regarding since courts focus application agreed principle circumstances fact rather sensitive task establishing principle inconsistent national interest international justice banco nacional de cuba sabbatino course sovereign immunity pleaded case beyond cavil part foreign relations law recognized commercial obligations foreign government may adjudicated courts otherwise jurisdiction enter judgments nothing national policy calls us recognize act state repudiation cuba obligation adjudicated courts arising operation commercial business one instrumentalities reasons led executive branch adopt restrictive theory sovereign immunity hold mere assertion sovereignty defense claim arising purely commercial acts foreign sovereign effective given label act state given label sovereign immunity describing act state doctrine past said precludes courts country inquiring validity public acts recognized foreign sovereign power committed within territory banco nacional de cuba sabbatino supra emphasis added applies acts done within exercise governmental authority underhill hernandez emphasis added decline extend act state doctrine acts committed foreign sovereigns course purely commercial operations act relied respondents case act arising conduct cuba agents operation cigar businesses profit act act state reversed appendix opinion legal adviser department state washington november case alfred dunhill london republic cuba petition writ certiorari requested parties discuss whether holding banco nacional de cuba sabbatino reconsidered department state believes question whether sabbatino case reconsidered involves matters importance foreign policy interests requests views conveyed views expressed herein addition arguments presented brief amicus curiae filing dunhill case urged brief believe dunhill case raises act state question case involves act commercial public nature moreover since department state adhered position commercial private activities foreign give rise sovereign immunity implicit position determination adjudications commercial liability foreign impede conduct foreign relations adjudications consistent international law sovereign immunity event however reaches question whether sabbatino holding reconsidered believe following considerations called attention since sabbatino decided department state two occasions expressed courts views concerning act state adjudications first sabbatino case remand executive branch declined make determination hickenlooper amendment application act state doctrine required case foreign policy interests banco nacional de cuba farr supp aff certiorari denied taken note executive branch position district farr applied hickenlooper amendment held cuban decree confiscation violated customary international law second first national city bank banco nacional de cuba department state informed general foreign relations considerations require application act state doctrine bar adjudication counterclaim foreign state claim arises relationship parties existing act state occurred amount relief granted limited amount foreign state claim relying precedent bernstein nederlandsche amerikaanshe department advised act state doctrine need apply class cases involving nazi confiscations department first national city bank concluded act state doctrine need applied like cases significantly farr bernstein first national city bank cases involved executive branch determination opened way courts review act state merits international law cases claim counterclaim question alleged act state violated customary international law thus least basis trend executive branch pronouncements foreign relations considerations require application act state doctrine bar adjudications international law trend mirrored countries apart cases cited justice white sabbatino several recent decisions foreign courts reviewed state acts international law english law act state doctrine derives require british courts abstain reviewing state acts international law far determined exercise judicial function foreign jurisdictions caused serious foreign relations consequences countries concerned present case similar bernstein farr first national city bank department opinion embarrassment conduct foreign policy decide case adjudicate legality act state found taken place make adjudication accordance principle international law found relevant general department experience provides little support presumption adjudication acts foreign accordance relevant principles international law embarrass conduct foreign policy thus view decide overrule holding sabbatino acts state thereafter subject adjudication american courts international law anticipate embarrassment conduct foreign policy sincerely monroe leigh appendix opinion may department state time consideration question whether practice government granting immunity suit foreign governments made parties defendant courts without consent changed department reached conclusion immunity longer granted certain types cases view obvious interest department matter like point briefly facts influenced department decision study law sovereign immunity reveals existence two conflicting concepts sovereign immunity widely held firmly established according classical absolute theory sovereign immunity sovereign without consent made respondent courts another sovereign according newer restrictive theory sovereign immunity immunity sovereign recognized regard sovereign public acts jure imperii state respect private acts jure gestionis agreement proponents theories supported practice sovereign immunity claimed granted actions respect real property diplomatic perhaps consular property excepted respect disposition property deceased person even though foreign sovereign beneficiary classical virtually absolute theory sovereign immunity generally followed courts british commonwealth czechoslovakia estonia probably poland decisions courts brazil chile china hungary japan luxembourg norway portugal may deemed support classical theory immunity one two old decisions anterior development restrictive theory may considered sufficient base conclusion position netherlands sweden argentina less clear since although immunity granted recent cases coming courts countries facts immunity granted either absolute restrictive theory however constant references courts three countries distinction public private acts state even though distinction involved result case may indicate intention leave way open possible application restrictive theory immunity occasion presents trend restrictive theory already evident netherlands lower courts started apply theory following decision effect immunity applicable case consideration either theory german courts period hesitation end nineteenth century held classical theory noted refusal yield pressure lower courts newer theory based view theory yet developed sufficiently justify change view growth restrictive theory since time german courts might take different view today newer restrictive theory sovereign immunity always supported courts belgium italy adopted turn courts egypt switzerland addition courts france austria greece traditionally supporters classical theory reversed position embrace restrictive theory rumania peru possibly denmark also appear follow theory furthermore observed countries still following classical theory school influential writers favoring restrictive theory views writers least civil law countries major factor development law moreover leanings lower courts civil law countries significant shaping law common law countries rule precedent prevails trend lower courts restrictive theory related interest question fact ten thirteen countries classified supporters classical theory ratified brussels convention immunity government owned merchant vessels waived addition party convention years ago announced since followed policy claiming immunity public owned operated merchant vessels keeping mind importance played cases involving public vessels field sovereign immunity thus noteworthy ten countries brazil chile estonia germany hungary netherlands norway poland portugal sweden already relinquished treaty practice important part immunity claim classical theory thus evident possible exception kingdom little support found except part soviet union satellites continued full acceptance absolute theory sovereign immunity evidences british authorities aware deficiencies ready change reasons obviously motivate state trading countries adhering theory perhaps increasing rigidity persuasive change policy furthermore granting sovereign immunity foreign governments courts inconsistent action government subjecting suit courts contract tort long established policy claiming immunity foreign jurisdictions merchant vessels finally department feels widespread increasing practice part governments engaging commercial activities makes necessary practice enable persons business rights determined courts reasons hereafter department policy follow restrictive theory sovereign immunity consideration requests foreign governments grant sovereign immunity realized shift policy executive control courts felt courts less likely allow plea sovereign immunity executive declined indications least justices feel matter courts follow branch government charged responsibility conduct foreign relations order department charged representing interests government courts may adequately informed department practice advise requests foreign governments grant immunity suit department action thereon sincerely secretary state jack tate acting legal adviser footnotes prior intervening lawsuit pinera replaced original interventors five companies whose behalf pursued suit convenience sake refer representing tobacco businesses interventors discussing conduct prior lawsuit discussing single interventor conduct party lawsuit district also disagreed interventors insufficient evidence show actually received sums assertedly paid importers neither district agree importers entitled funds entitled repaid pesos appeals disturb holdings appeals rejected importers contention hickenlooper amendment foreign assistance act precluded interventors invoking act state doctrine correctness judgment us litigation order granting certiorari directed counsel brief argue two questions statements counsel republic cuba petitioner unjust enrichment counterclaim honored constitute act state exception act state doctrine created first national city bank banco nacional de cuba petitioner counterclaim exceed net balance owed cuba claims petitioner codefendants claims counterclaims arise subject matter litigation case addition questions presented case counsel requested brief discuss oral argument holding banco nacional de cuba sabbatino reconsidered addition present petition petition interventors republic cuba saks challenging ground intervention successfully seized accounts receivable properly belonged propriety permitting even setoff conditional importers saks republic cuba challenging propriety judgment favor owners due preintervention shipments today deny petitions post traditional formulation act state doctrine underhill hernandez every sovereign state bound respect independence every sovereign state courts one country sit judgment acts government another done within territory redress grievances reason acts must obtained means open availed sovereign powers entitlement derived theory initial act state intervention owners business parties agree intervention given effect respect owners tangible property cuba time intervention appeals held however since accounts receivable cuba time intervention intervention reach dissent points statement trial counsel dunhill money arrived cuba intervention cuban government took money act state doctrine belongs cuban government statement made counsel closing argument district purport factual representation second act state occurred indeed brief counsel counsel statements statements litigating position brief respondents statement lawyer proof anything indeed counsel statements proof anything petitioner entitled oath legal argument original act state automatically matured dunhill money arrived cuba transformed account receivable intangible tangible asset statement rejected appeals held original intervention seize accounts receivable prior owners even respect accounts later paid dunhill finally unwilling absent proof infer fact cuba seized assets cigar business cuban nationals must necessarily intended make make later discriminatory confiscatory seizure money belonging companies indeed respondents argued vigorously international law issue raised precisely acts cuban sovereign directed nationals intent divest dunhill ownership brief respondents reargument supporting conclusion cuba necessarily intend seize dunhill money arrived cuba dissent quotes remark counsel third brief filed respondents contended refusal acquiesce obligation sought imposed foreign act state merely statement respondents incorrect litigating position failure pay dunhill established refusal cuba acquiesce admitted obligation therefore act state litigating position incorrect stated supra respondents never admitted obligation dunhill therefore failure pay dunhill without inadequate establish sovereign repudiation obligation anne wheat reaffirmed sao vicente enough show immunity successfully set duly recognized consul representative sovereign commercial matters ordinary course official duties seems adequate reason presume master gul djemal greater authority respect thereto although officer turkish navy performing naval military duty serving upon vessel functioning naval military capacity engaged commerce shown authority represent sovereign inferred position master emphasis added commander successful revolution control city bolivar refused passport underhill upon suit underhill detention refused inquire propriety detention acts complained acts military commander representing authority revolutionary party government afterwards succeeded recognized dissent assuming republic cuba purported exercise sovereign powers refusing return dunhill money asserts distinction refusal honor obligation return dunhill money original expropriation cigar businesses case therefore involve purely commercial act dissent wrong cuba debt dunhill arose conduct cuba agents commercial business profit may said conventional expropriations foreign assets located ab initio inside country territorial borders dunhill continuing buy cigars interventors intervention dunhill knew payments made interventors receive menendez saks debt never arisen cuba agents gone cigar business sold dunhill case therefore different case buyer overpays goods sold commercial business operated foreign government commonplace event international commerce letter also takes position sovereign immunity prevent entry affirmative judgment counterclaim arising transaction occurrence subject matter claim foreign state inferentially act state doctrine likewise unavailable method avoiding affirmative judgment light conclusion repudiation sovereign commercial debt act state reach state department alternative position letter also takes position overruling sabbatino acts state hereafter subject adjudication american courts international law result embarrassment conduct foreign policy need resolve issue either salutary principle followed berizzi pesaro allowed immunity first time merchant vessel owned foreign government possession service although state department declined recognize immunity propriety thus extending immunity political branch government refused act considered since vessel although owned mexican government possession service occasion consider questions presented berizzi case enough find persuasive ground allowing immunity case important reason state department declined recognize justice frankfurter joined justice black said fact matter result berizzi pesaro supra reached without submission department state relevant policies conduct foreign relations largely basis considerations steadily lost whatever validity may compare overruling thomas jefferson wheat genesee chief views state department immunity commercial ships owned foreign governments strongly supported international conferences held decision pesaro case see lord maugham compania naviera vascongado cristina real change enormous growth particularly recent years ordinary merchandising activity governments see western maid lord maugham cristina thus put matter half century ago foreign governments seldom embarked trade ordinary ships though infrequently owned vessels destined public uses particular hospital vessels supply ships surveying exploring vessels doubtless strong reasons extending privilege long possessed ships war public ships nature mentioned large development commercial ships since great war question whether immunity continue given ordinary trading ships become acute consistent sovereign dignity acquire tramp steamer compete ordinary shippers markets world consistent set immunity sovereign owing want skill captain crew serious damage caused ship another country also consistent refuse permit proceedings enforce right salvage respect services rendered perhaps great risk vessel another country view short courts disclaim jurisdiction otherwise belongs relation vessels owned foreign governments however operated except department government charged conduct foreign relations course congress explicitly asserts proper conduct relations calls judicial abstention thereby responsibility conduct foreign relations placed power lies unless constrained established policy state department courts best discharge responsibility enforcement regular judicial processes austria collision foreign motor car austria case sup belgium socobel greek state trib civ brussels canada penthouse studios republic venezuela quebec ct england tapioca service government pakistan philippine admiral wallem shipping egypt federated people republic yugoslavia kafr cotton civ trib alexandria france administration des chemins defer iraniens societe levant express transport revue generale de droit international public sup germany claim empire iran case fed const greece papaevangelou government athens first instance apr hong kong midland investment bank communications italy soc il foro italiano part sup en banc mar pakistan secretary state karachi philippines carried lumber america app manila yugoslavia zarko office international trade fairs department commerce dist zagreb june banco nacional de cuba sabbatino noted context act state doctrine also evident aspects international law touch much sharply national nerves others less important implications issue foreign relations weaker justification exclusivity political branches schmitthoff unification harmonisation law means standard contracts general conditions comp see also lowenfeld international private trade gal commercial law nations law international trade corn trammer law foreign trade legal systems countries planned economy sources law international trade schmitthoff ed hereinafter schmitthoff knapp function organization activities foreign trade corporations european socialist countries schmitthoff goldstajn international conventions standard contracts means escaping application municipal law schmitthoff ionasco nestor limits party autonomy schmitthoff schmitthoff introduction schmitthoff ix dissent doctrines sovereign immunity act state distinct former conferring sovereign exemption suit virtue status latter merely telling law apply case post may true one doctrine described jurisdictional terms terms may doctrines point different results certain cases gainsaid however proper application involves balancing injury foreign policy conduct committed primarily executive branch judicial affronts sovereign powers compare mexico hoffman sovereign immunity banco nacional de cuba sabbatino supra act state injury private party denied justice judicial deference raw assertion sovereignty consequent injury international trade state department concluded commercial area need merchants rights determined courts outweighs injury foreign policy conclusion reached context jurisdictional problem sovereign immunity reach one context act state doctrine since first national city bank decided department state taken position sovereign immunity area even counterclaim exceeds foreign state claim courts may adjudicate counterclaim arises transaction occurrence subject matter claim foreign state see ali restatement foreign relations law second view adjudication foreign state arising transaction occurrence subject matter claim foreign state pose foreign relations difficulties see matter minera el teniente legal materials superior hamburg foreign state act expropriation violates international law recognized german courts subject matter litigation substantial contact germany braden copper le groupement des metaux legal materials extended jurisdiction paris rejecting sovereign immunity state trading company marketed expropriated copper compagnie francaise de credit et de banque consorts atard clunet du droit france cour amiens foreign expropriation decrees recognized france absent payment prompt adequate effective compensation credit foncier et de tunisie narbonne clunet du droit france cou de cassation acts expropriation recognized france unless equitable compensation first determined obe ster gerichtshof austrian decision december osterr juristenzeitung clunet du droit expropriation without compensation violates international law recovery purchasers expropriated property assurantie maatschappij de nederlanden van escomptobank ct hague rejecting act state defense violation international law banco de vizcaya alfonso de borbon austria helbert wagg ch lauterpacht oppenheim international law ed see also republic peru peruvian guano ch republic peru dreyfus brothers ch british courts international law refused give effect peruvian laws annulling acts preceding peruvian government cf buttes gas oil hammer dept state bull justice powell concurring join opinion since line commercial political acts foreign state often difficult delineate write reaffirm view even cases deemed involve purely political acts duty judiciary decide whether deference political branches government requires abstention stated first nat city bank banco nacional de cuba concurring judgment unless appears exercise jurisdiction interfere delicate foreign relations conducted political branches conclude federal courts obligation hear cases justice stevens concurring reasons stated parts ii opinion agree act state doctrine bar entry judgment favor dunhill justice marshall justice brennan justice stewart justice blackmun join dissenting act state doctrine commits courts country sit judgment acts foreign government performed within territory realistic view facts case interventors retention refusal return funds paid dunhill constitute act state affirmative recovery dunhill rest invalidity conduct appeals concluded affirm judgment september cuban government intervened nationalized five cigar manufacturers petitioner dunhill received worth cigars yet paid period intervention february dunhill took delivery additional worth shipments district appeals concluded intervention given full legal effect respect property cuban nationals located cuba interventors therefore entitled payment postintervention shipments palicio compania brush supp sdny aff cert denied sub nom brush republic cuba quite clear result correct different intervened firms owned citizens banco nacional de cuba sabbatino since date intervention interventors taken position also entitled receive amounts due intervened firms preintervention shipments case dunhill throughout litigation respondents interventors republic cuba insisted act state doctrine requires courts give full legal effect intervention decree insofar purported nationalize accounts receivable intervened firms district appeals held however accounts receivable involved situs new york act state doctrine apply attempted confiscation ineffective menendez faber coe gregg supp sdny menendez saks separate petition certiorari today denies course presentation case respondents pursued contention initial intervention recognized reached preintervention accounts receivable respondents sole contention necessary us consider appeals recognized act state question took wholly different light dunhill paid amount due preintervention shipments interventors cuba appeals held dunhill claim return monies paid interventors shipments sounds arises observed dunhill contractual obligation owners situated new york interventors receipt appropriation refusal return funds occurred apart contract cuba interventors course conduct act state therefore doubt act state doctrine applies interventors taken discrete overt action claim status act state rather received long retained money paid preintervention shipments ignored dunhill demands return declines view course conduct reflecting exercise sovereign power retain funds issue arrived cuba explaining part statute decree order resolution cuban government offered evidence indicating cuba repudiated obligations general class thereof sovereign matter determined confiscate amounts due dunhill foreign importers ante cases demonstrate act state need formalized particular manner also need take form active rather passive conduct general villa come accidentally possession hides sought replevied oetjen instead seizing simply refused plaintiff demand possession result different indeed far report underhill case reveals plaintiff seeking recovery detention challenged general hernandez refusal anything demanded passport foreign sovereign issued formal decree performed affirmative act fatal act state claim foreign state exercised sovereign power either act refrain acting act state case similar one new york appeals held cuban bank dishonoring tax exemption certificates redemption suspended decision cuban currency stabilization fund act state french banco nacional de cuba act state wrote defendant refusal perform currency regulations though equally product act state simply justification refusal take dispute refusal act constitutes act state shown reflect exercise sovereign power rather finds exercise sovereign power retain funds issue arrived cuba refusal repay suggests necessarily reflect anything interventors initial contention rejected district appeals september intervention decree operated seize accounts receivable intervened firms unwilling infer fact cuba seized assets cigar business cuban nationals must necessarily made later discriminatory confiscatory seizure money belonging companies ante already indicated however respondents position need limited contention september decree operated seize preintervention accounts receivable counsel interventors republic cuba stated trial brief oral argument nder act state doctrine cuban government accepting expropriating seizing nationalizing whatever words want take money done pursuant regulation law decree government cuba therefore courts state look matter federal talking extraterritorial effect act state talking territorial effect namely seizure acceptance appropriation money got cuba concerned whether expropriated debts september question happened october october november december money came time cuban government took money act state doctrine belongs cuban government tr brief respondents reply brief amicus curiae tr oral rearg statements counsel acts state authoritative representations position counsel clients interventors republic cuba respect monies possession statements serve confirm continued retention monies undertaken exercise sovereign power ii justice white advances contention adopted even cuban government purported exercise sovereign power confiscate monies issue ante act state doctrine inapplicable purely commercial nature confiscation prompted make several observations suggested rationale broad commercial act exception act state doctrine ultimately need consider whether circumstances exception commercial acts might appropriate suffice say exception appropriate case note outset commercial act exception act state doctrine supported department state recent bernstein letter department expressed opinion conduct foreign policy suffer embarrassment declined apply act state doctrine case declined apply doctrine commercial cases general indeed overruled banco nacional de cuba sabbatino justice white quite properly rely specifically upon views department six members first nat city bank banco nacional de cuba hereinafter citibank disapproved finally bernstein exception act state doctrine thus minimizing significance letter department state douglas concurring result ibid powell concurring judgment brennan dissenting whether act state question case viewed confined single dispute extending broad class disputes task defining role judiciary executive branch concluding act state doctrine apply purely commercial acts sovereign nations justice white relies heavily upon widespread acceptance restrictive theory sovereign immunity declines extend immunity foreign governments acting private commercial capacity restrictive theory sovereign immunity adopted even assume law country follow commercial act exception act state doctrine true course particular litigant claim may effectively defeated application act state doctrine foreign government invocation sovereign immunity doctrines sovereign immunity act state related differ fundamentally focus operation sovereign immunity accords defendant exemption suit virtue status contrast act state doctrine exempts one process equally applicable whether sovereign nation party act state doctrine merely tells law apply case concerns limits determining validity otherwise applicable rule law sabbatino absence unambiguous agreement regarding controlling principles international law act state doctrine commands acts sovereign nation committed territory accorded presumptive validity act state doctrine although shares immunity doctrine respect sovereign serves important policies entirely independent rule citibank supra brennan dissenting quoting sabbatino supra act state doctrine mandated text constitution constitutional underpinnings sabbatino supra arises basic relationships branches government system separation powers concerns competency dissimilar institutions make implement particular kinds decisions area international relations doctrine formulated past decisions expresses strong sense judicial branch engagement task passing validity foreign acts state may hinder rather country pursuit goals community nations whole international sphere ibid doctrine sovereign immunity concerned status party lawsuit focus circumstances mentioned simply designed responsive particular considerations underlying act state doctrine whatever exceptions may sovereign immunity transferred automatically therefore act state doctrine question wisdom attempting articulation broad exception act state doctrine within confines single case sabbatino aware variety situations presenting act state questions complexity relevant considerations eschewed inflexible rule favor approach carving broad exceptions doctrine fundamentally odds careful approach adopted sabbatino indeed difficult discern precise scope commercial act exception contemplated justice white final analysis however unnecessary consider whether exception responsive concerns underlying act state doctrine every case might apply exception covers case unresponsive cuba retention refusal repay funds issue case took place background intervention nationalization businesses assets five cigar manufacturers already indicated seizure retention dunhill funds pursuant initial intervention decree practical purposes seizure funds arrived cuba indistinguishable seizure remainder cigar manufacturers businesses seizure funds like initial seizures september reflected purpose exert sovereign power territorial limits order effectuate intervention ongoing cigar manufacturing businesses matters funds determined case belonged dunhill rather cigar manufacturers matter cuba retained money course program expropriating viewed part parcel businesses applicability act state doctrine circumstances controlled sabbatino noted issues international law today opinion seems divided limitations state power expropriate property aliens indeed absence suggestion cuba intervention program discriminatory citizens renders lack consensus applicable principles law even apparent sabbatino see citibank brennan dissenting unless one takes position amount money value property seized materially affects sensitivity issues guided case following observation sabbatino difficult imagine courts country embarking adjudication area touches sensitively practical ideological goals various members community nations omitted iii since view retention refusal repay funds issue constitute act state ordinarily preclude affirmative judgment cuba interventors necessary proceed second question granted certiorari whether dunhill may nonetheless secure affirmative judgment peculiar circumstances case brief recapitulation facts necessary understand dunhill contention entitled affirmative recovery spite presence act state dunhill one three importers time intervention received cigars yet paid three months following intervention importers paid interventors amounts due preintervention shipments period intervention february importers took delivery additional shipments payment made suit stems nine suits brought importers former owners five intervened firms inter alia restrain payment anyone else goods manufactured firms bearing mark recover goods importers already received interventors brought suit names intervened firms enjoin former owners counsel pursuing nine actions firms names substitute attorneys former owners nine suits district ruled preliminary matter interventors former owners entitled sue payment postintervention shipments palicio compania brush supp sdny aff cert denied sub nom brush republic cuba original nine actions consolidated trial interventors pursuing claim payments shipments former owners interventors pursuing claims payments preintervention shipments district concluded former owners interventors entitled payment preintervention shipments view interventors refusal return monies paid preintervention shipments involve act state district set amount amount owed importers interventors postintervention shipments menendez faber coe gregg supp sdny alone among importers dunhill paid interventors preintervention shipments owed postintervention shipments accordingly district directed affirmative judgment entered dunhill favor appeals found act state cuba retention monies paid preintervention shipments interpreted various views expressed citibank indicating nevertheless uphold importers counterclaims limits respective claims asserted interventors reversed judgment district insofar granted dunhill affirmative recovery menendez saks second question granted certiorari whether cuba conduct constitutes act state dunhill may nonetheless assert full counterclaim circumstances case counterclaim exceeds cuba claim less amount owed cuba importers group citibank held act state doctrine necessarily bar defendant litigating merits limited counterclaim foreign state suing courts country petitioner american bank whose branches cuba nationalized bank responded selling collateral securing loan million respondent banco nacional de cuba instrumentality state banco nacional sued excess proceeds realized sale first national counterclaimed equal amount damages resulting expropriation property various reasons asserted three separate opinions bare majority allowed prosecution counterclaim limited amount recoverable first national concerned status counterclaim excess foreign state principal claim precise question addressed citibank whether counterclaim limited amount foreign state claim may barred act state doctrine cover present situation approach adopted justice brennan dissent citibank barred counterclaim limited amount foreign state claim sufficient fortiori bar dunhill excessive counterclaim even putting approach aside judgment appeals denying affirmative relief dunhill affirmed affirmative judgment excess counterclaim foreign state principal claim indistinguishable important respect ordinary affirmative judgment case situation precisely cuba voluntarily recognized validity dunhill claim amount equal parties agreed extrajudicially consider claims canceling pro tanto dunhill sued cuba unsettled remainder claim courts presented unadorned suit foreign sovereign barred act state doctrine affirmative judgment offends policy judicial abstention interference international relations equal degree whether founded upon naked suit foreign state excessive counterclaim dunhill contends however nature act state question affected fortuity counterclaim exceeding cuba principal claim lesser amount sum judgments entered favor cuba three importers whose cases consolidated trial contention suffers two fatal flaws first actions dunhill importers merged simply consolidated trial interest economy interventors substituted plaintiffs actions originally filed owners asserted separate causes action importer single transaction involved gave rise claim one importer actions thus lose separate identities consolidation circumstances ruling allowing counterclaim theory exceed foreign state total judgments parties happen district capricious indeed limitation counterclaims determined presence absence actions suitable consolidation particular time particular upon outcomes event become quite clear execution dunhill affirmative judgment judgment debts importers owe interventors prohibited cuban assets control regulations cfr pt promulgated treasury department office foreign assets control pursuant trading enemy act app regulations prohibit except authorized secretary transactions involving property cuba interest direct indirect including levy judgment decree attachment execution judicial administrative process order scheme executive frozen cuban assets designed preserve fund ultimate orderly satisfaction claims cuba american nationals diplomatic alternatives prove unavailing see citibank brennan dissenting furtherance policy treasury department stated refuse authorize judgment creditor cuba execute assets cuba frozen regulations affirmative judgment favor dunhill therefore satisfied importers judgment debts cuba frozen benefit creditors disposition future diplomatic negotiations direct allow entry affirmative judgment cuba circumstances thus mark significant departure consistent policy avoiding potential interference executive channels nation deals others securing dunhill speculative prospect obtaining preference claimants national policy subject cuban assets change future iv conclusion hold course conduct undertaken interventors respect payments made preintervention shipments constitutes act state dunhill entitled affirmative judgment counterclaim relating payments affirm judgment appeals classic american formulation doctrine see banco nacional de cuba sabbatino appears underhill hernandez every sovereign state bound respect independence every sovereign state courts one country sit judgment acts government another done within territory redress grievances reason acts must obtained means open availed sovereign powers actually one interventors party apparently designated single interventor five intervened tobacco companies sake convenience shall continue refer interventors republic cuba saks post payment made collecting banks previously acted agents former owners district expressly found importers including dunhill well knew following intervention collecting banks acting agents interventors former owners also knew payments making collecting banks ultimately received interventors cuba findings sustained appeals quoted statement appears concurring opinion judge hopkins joined majority subscribed opinion chief judge fuld held breach contract plaintiff complains resulted indeed constitutes act state another brief filed respondents counsel observed matters interventor may wrong eyes claiming september decree nationalized preintervention accounts receivable since monies taken interventor cuba representative sovereign hardly denied conduct amounted taking property within territory foreign sovereign government banco nacional de cuba sabbatino brief respondents acknowledges statement reflects alternative contention respondents assuming ineffectiveness september decree reaching preintervention accounts receivable existence obligation return monies issue dunhill repudiation obligation act state ante emphasizes fact respondents admitted existence obligation dunhill concludes remains unclear whether respondents determined retain monies even declares obligation exist fact respondents making alternative argument referred herein however remove doubt intentions compania espanola de navegacion maritima navemar contrary suit admiralty alleged owner spanish merchant vessel recover possession spanish ambassador sought leave intervene claimant produced affidavit spanish acting consul general suggesting suit brought vessel property republic spain virtue decree attachment promulgated president republic appropriating vessel public use possession spanish government district held bound accept allegations suggestion conclusive question possession proof whatever foreign sovereign ever held possession claim alleged seizure vessel members crew act behalf spanish government contrast present case settled interventors received payments preintervention shipments behalf cuban government menendez faber coe gregg lingering doubt retention virtue claim right dispelled counsel cuba interventors trial possession established navemar decree appropriation doubt case point fact contrary true case inapposite response suggestion navemar case controlled one counsel respondents made statement relied upon ante statement ambassador like statement lawyer proof anything merely assertion made representative sovereign position taken sovereign litigation brief respondent case unlike navemar case precisely position foreign sovereign respect property possession significant appellation bernstein letter stems case bernstein noteworthy department state takes position sabbatino overruled without embarrassment conduct foreign policy result sabbatino urged solicitor general time see brief amicus curiae sabbatino see also falk role domestic courts international legal order henkin act state today recollections tranquility sabbatino found act state doctrine reflect distribution functions judicial political branches government also suggested doctrine deference based upon absence consensus controlling principles international law allocates legal competence among nations manner promotes growth international law see generally falk status law international society falk role domestic courts international legal order whether considerations contribution development international law provide basis act state doctrine independent notion separation powers question addressed need consider worth noting however sabbatino sensitive fact invalidation foreign sovereign acts basis principles international law subject unambiguous agreement unlikely regarded impartial area state responsibility expropriations viewed potential contribution courts growth international law highly conjectural concluded progress toward goal establishing rule law among nations best served maintaining intact act state doctrine least one commentator proposed discarding doctrine sovereign immunity except respect diplomatic military activity retaining nonreviewability accorded act state doctrine official acts sovereign performed within territory falk role domestic courts international legal order precise contours restrictive theory sovereign immunity commercial act exception based unclear see victory transport comisaria general falk immunity foreign sovereigns courts proposed legislation pol lauterpacht problem jurisdictional immunities foreign brit general observation discernible rules international law emerged regard commercial dealings private parties international market regard exercises governmental powers ante however approach finding unambiguous agreement regarding controlling legal principles contemplated sabbatino quite apart significance may attached label find difficult accept justice white characterization course conduct involved purely commercial view case commercial case dunhill assert retention monies constitutes discriminatory taking notion evidently cuba generally repudiated commercial debts supplemental brief petitioner claim cuba retained payments made citizens intervention program sense discriminatory done entry judgment interventors dunhill favor dunhill interventors whether citibank approval setoff applicable facts litigation questioned petition republic cuba saks bar sovereign immunity yields extent counterclaim sovereign plaintiff national city bank republic china absolute quite apart availability act state defense unless restrictive theory sovereign immunity followed case considered purely commercial case initially briefed argued dunhill attempted distinguish excessive counterclaim simple principal claim ground former covered bernstein letter citibank state department advised foreign policy considerations require application act state doctrine bar consideration defendant counterclaim like cases letter citibank provided little support dunhill since contained several qualifications determination act state doctrine need applied one amount relief granted limited amount foreign state claim banco nacional de cuba first nat city bank since state department made known view act state doctrine need applied case longer necessary dunhill rely letter citibank already noted significance views expressed state department minimal citibank onsolidation permitted matter convenience economy administration merge suits single cause change rights parties make parties one suit parties another johnson manhattan omitted see wright miller federal practice procedure pp informed interventors pending least four cases tobacco importers district time present cases tried see brief respondents reason consolidated present case matter record title cfr prohibits transactions transfers involve property cuba national thereof time since july interest nature whatsoever direct indirect transfer defined mean act transaction purpose intent effect create surrender release transfer alter directly indirectly right remedy power privilege interest respect property including execution judgment property defined include judgment discharge judgment debt behalf cuba even execution judgment cuba thus prohibited certiorari granted case counsel respondents corresponded acting director office foreign assets control stating dunhill assumed secured judgment cuba execute judgment money owing cuba creditors fact attempted attach funds owing cuba faber coe gregg another cigar importer whose claim likewise litigation helpful confirm understanding generally speaking issue license permit cuba execute assets cuba frozen pursuant foreign assets control regulations execution affirmative judgment course barred whether basis judgment presence parties judgment debts cuba absence sovereign act application commercial act exception act state doctrine point particularly appropriate however response contention presence parties judgment debts cuba justifies affirmative judgment case contention proceeds assumption policies behind act state doctrine otherwise bar affirmative recovery dunhill permits affirmative recovery purported unfairness result cuba debt dunhill deducted recovery importers shown granting affirmative judgment dunhill way affect fairness disposition since execution judgment barred treasury department freezing cuban assets benefit american nationals claims cuba