Five On Friday – Five Recent Developments That We've Been Watching Closely

It's Friday and time for another overview of developments in the field of business and human rights that we've been monitoring.

This week's post includes: the U.S. Government's amicus brief in Jesner v. Arab Bank; a Declaration from the Leaders of the G20; and a commitment to renew the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh.

• On June 27, the U.S. Government, through the Office of the Solicitor General, filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in  Jesner v. Arab Bank, No. 16-499. The Supreme Court has granted a writ of certiorari in the case in order to determine "[w]hether the Alien Tort Statute, 28 U.S.C. § 1350, categorically forecloses corporate liability." In its amicus brief, the U.S. Government argues that the Second Circuit "erred in holding that a corporation can never be subject to a 'civil action' for a 'tort in violation of the law of nations'," and that "nothing in international law discountenances civil claims against corporations."