Story perspectives

Supreme Court Narrows ATS, Blocks Falun Gong Cisco Claim

6/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling narrows the Alien Tort Statute and Torture Victim Protection Act for foreign plaintiffs seeking U.S. corporate liability.
The Court dismissed the Falun Gong lawsuit against Cisco Systems under both statutes.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote that courts cannot create new rights of action for international law violations, ending aiding-and-abetting liability.
President Donald Trump’s administration backed Cisco, after the 9th Circuit revived the suit in 2023.

History

Historical Context

In 2013 the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision in Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum held that the Alien Tort Statute does not apply extraterritorially when all conduct occurs abroad, curbing corporate liability. The Court’s 2024 6-3 opinion authored by Justice Amy Coney Barrett extended that limitation by rejecting Falun Gong’s ATS and TVPA claim against Cisco Systems.

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Story summary

The U.S. Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling narrows the Alien Tort Statute and Torture Victim Protection Act for foreign plaintiffs seeking U.S. corporate liability.
The Court dismissed the Falun Gong lawsuit against Cisco Systems under both statutes.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote that courts cannot create new rights of action for international law violations, ending aiding-and-abetting liability.
President Donald Trump’s administration backed Cisco, after the 9th Circuit revived the suit in 2023.

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