X v.United States of America

Abstract

State immunity — Jurisdictional immunity — Locally recruited telephonist/receptionist employed by mission of foreign State — Contract of employment — Claim for unlawful dismissal — Whether foreign State entitled to jurisdictional immunity — Subordinate nature of employment — Whether dismissal of such an employee constituting an act of State — Whether enquiry into lawfulness of dismissal would violate sovereignty of foreign State — Whether courts entitled to exercise jurisdiction over claim relating to purely financial consequences of dismissal — Effect of default of appearance by foreign State — Scope of right of appeal — The law of Switzerland