Corporacion del Cobre v. Braden Copper Corporation and Société Groupement d'Importation des Métaux

Abstract

Sovereign immunity — Foreign States and State-owned corporations and their property — Expropriation of assets by foreign State — Action brought by American company for recovery of assets from Chilean State copper corporation — Whether entitled to jurisdictional immunity — Acts iure imperii and iure gestionis — Attachment of funds payable to State corporation for sales of copper — Whether State corporation entitled to immunity from execution — Appointment of expert to determine use of funds — Whether expropriation by a foreign State without adequate compensation can be recognised in municipal courts — The law of France