Iran

Supreme Court Rules in Bank Markazi v. Peterson: Congress Did Not Exceed its Power and Victims Can Collect

By Yishai Schwartz
Wednesday, April 20, 2016, 5:55 PM

Earlier today, the Supreme Court issued its ruling in Bank Markazi v. Peterson, a case we previewed last year when the Court first asked for the opinion of the Solicitor General during the certiorari process. In this case, the Iranian Central Bank appealed from a judgment allowing terror victims access to complexly held assets connected with the U.S. banking system. The Iranian Central Bank suggested that a special law passed to ensure victims' access to these assets violated separation of powers. Today, the Supreme Court rejected the Bank's appeal by a vote of 6-2. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote for the majority, and the Chief Justice (joined by Justice Sotomayor) dissented. You can find the opinions here. Analysis on Lawfare will follow shortly.

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