Case Citation
Legal Case Name

La Amistad De Rues.-Almiral, Libellant Case Brief

Supreme Court of the United States1820Docket #402178
18 U.S. 385 5 L. Ed. 115 5 Wheat. 385 1820 U.S. LEXIS 263

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Case Brief Summary & Legal Analysis

General Brief
4 min read

tl;dr: A neutral U.S. court considered a Spanish ship captured by a privateer allegedly violating U.S. neutrality. The Supreme Court held neutral courts can only order restitution of property, not damages between belligerents, and the violation of neutrality must be clearly proven by the claimant.

Legal Significance: Establishes that neutral courts’ jurisdiction in prize cases violating neutrality is limited to restitution, excluding damages between belligerents. It also clarifies the claimant’s burden to clearly prove such neutrality violations.

La Amistad De Rues.-Almiral, Libellant Law School Study Guide

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Case Facts & Court Holding

Key Facts & Case Background

The Spanish vessel “La Amistad” was captured on the high seas by a privateer, “La Irresistible,” which was purportedly commissioned by the Oriental Republic (a belligerent then at war with Spain). The original Spanish owners, the libellants, sought restitution of “La Amistad” and its cargo in a U.S. District Court. They alleged the capture was unlawful because “La Irresistible” had illegally augmented its crew in New Orleans, a U.S. port, prior to the capture, thereby violating U.S. neutrality laws. The privateer subsequently brought “La Amistad” as a prize into a U.S. port. The libellants argued this violation of neutrality entitled them to have the vessel and its cargo restored, and also claimed damages for the illegal capture, including loss of market and for alleged plunderage. The District Court decreed restitution to the Spanish owners and awarded damages. The captors appealed, challenging both the factual finding of illegal augmentation and the legal basis for awarding damages.

Court Holding & Legal Precedent

Issue: What is the scope of a neutral court’s jurisdiction to provide remedies, specifically restitution and damages, when a belligerent vessel, captured in alleged violation of the neutral nation’s neutrality, is brought within its territory, and upon whom does the burden of proof lie to establish such a violation?

The Supreme Court reversed the lower court’s decree. The award of damages Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui

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Legal Issue

What is the scope of a neutral court’s jurisdiction to provide remedies, specifically restitution and damages, when a belligerent vessel, captured in alleged violation of the neutral nation’s neutrality, is brought within its territory, and upon whom does the burden of proof lie to establish such a violation?

Conclusion

This case significantly defines the limited remedial scope of neutral courts in Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irur

Legal Rule

1. Neutral courts, in cases of belligerent capture violating their neutrality where Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, qu

Legal Analysis

The Court, per Justice Story, first addressed the issue of damages, deeming Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id e

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Flash Summary

  • A neutral court’s remedy for a capture violating its neutrality is
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in volupt

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