U.S. Supreme Court Rules Against World Bank Arm on Immunity

  • International Finance Corp. sought to end power plant suit
  • Immunity doesn’t protect commercial activities, court says

The U.S. Supreme Court building stands in Washington, D.C.

Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg
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The U.S. Supreme Court opened some American-based international organizations to lawsuits, ruling that a World Bank affiliate must defend against allegations it is responsible for environmental damage caused by a power plant in India.

Voting 7-1 on Wednesday, the court said sovereign immunity doesn’t protect those international organizations in the U.S. when they are involved in commercial activities.