Saved on this device

Follow your curiosity

What discovery has been shared with you?

FACTREE gives you something interesting to discover every day — and something worth talking about together.

Start with one fact. Explore it, go deeper, then follow whichever branch catches your imagination.

Choose subjects for a surprise

Exploring any topic

Begin your discovery

Your next discovery is one click away.

Choose one or more subjects above, or leave Any Topic selected and let curiosity decide.

Law

The Doctrine of Sovereign Immunity in Disputes Involving State-Owned Enterprises

Quick fact

Under the restrictive theory of sovereign immunity, a state-owned enterprise is generally NOT immune from suit when it engages in commercial activities, even if the state itself would be immune. In the landmark case Republic of Argentina v. Weltover, the U.S. Supreme Court held that Argentina's issuance of bonds was a commercial activity, so Argentina was subject to suit in U.S. courts.

Why this is interesting

When you sign a contract with a state-owned company, can you ever sue that government in court? The surprising answer depends on a centuries-old legal shield that still protects states today.