Vaessen v. American Battle Monuments Commission

Abstract

State immunity — State entity — Whether endowed with independent legal personality — Whether entitled to invoke jurisdictional immunity — American Battle Monuments Commission — Locally recruited employee — Dispute concerning contract of employment — Whether Commission entitled to invoke jurisdictional immunity from proceedings before municipal courts — United States of America-Belgium Agreement of 27 November 1958 concerning American Military Cemeteries — Provision for immunity from civil jurisdiction — Whether Agreement may be relied upon against individuals in the absence of its publicationTreaties — Effect on third parties — Requirement of publication — Treaty affecting rights and obligations of third parties — Whether treaty can be invoked against third parties in the absence of publication — The law of Belgium