Litigation & enforcement

Suing a state in London: immunity, enforcement and the UK blocking statute

Status: Explainer · Updated: 22 October 2026 · Topic: Litigation & enforcement General information on the law as at 22 October 2026, not legal advice. Reading it does not create a lawyer-client relationship. See our disclaimer. English courts are a common forum for sovereign debt claims, because many older loan agreements

Venezuela

Citgo appeal: Justice Department expressed no views on abeyance, per Restructuring Desk

Venezuela Restructuring Desk reported on 14 October that the Justice Department expressed no views on Venezuela’s request to pause the Citgo appeal. No order granting the pause was verified as of this edition.

Venezuela

Citgo appeal: Gold Reserve backs a limited abeyance only with U.S. support; other creditors oppose

Gold Reserve’s 8 October release supports a limited six-month abeyance of the Citgo appeal only with concurrent U.S. support. Mealey’s reports that other creditors opposed the pause on 8 October. A motion or response is not a ruling.

Argentina

YPF: Petersen and Eton Park ask the Supreme Court to revive the $16.1 billion judgment

Petersen and Eton Park filed a petition for certiorari (No. 26-442) on 30 September seeking review of the Second Circuit’s 27 March 2026 decision, which held the claims belonged in Argentine courts. The docket shows Argentina’s response due 2 November 2026. A petition is not a ruling.

Spain

Spain/Foresight: annulled awards clear an FSIA immunity hurdle

On 28 September the D.C. district court denied Spain’s jurisdictional motion in Foresight. Swedish annulment of the two awards did not eliminate jurisdiction under the FSIA arbitration exception; recognition and enforcement remain merits questions.

Cuba & Title III

CRF v. Banco Nacional de Cuba: English court quantifies money judgment at £18.1 million

The English Commercial Court assessed £18,034,078.32 in damages and £89,804.96 in costs against Banco Nacional de Cuba, a total of £18,123,883.28. The August coverage follows the July default-judgment process.

Cuba & Title III

Title III: Supreme Court holds Helms-Burton abrogates immunity of Cuban state entities (Exxon v. CIMEX)

In Exxon Mobil Corp. v. Corporación CIMEX (No. 24-699, decided 23 June 2026), the Supreme Court held that the Helms-Burton Act itself abrogates the sovereign immunity of Cuban agencies and instrumentalities; Title III plaintiffs need not also satisfy an FSIA exception.

Cuba & Title III

Title III: Supreme Court revives Havana Docks claims against cruise lines

In Havana Docks Corp. v. Royal Caribbean Cruises (No. 24-983, decided 21 May 2026), the Supreme Court held that the “property which was confiscated” includes the physical docks themselves. The Eleventh Circuit judgment was vacated and remanded.