Sonarem v. Genebrier and Others.

Abstract

Jurisdiction — Personal — Over nationals abroad and their property abroad — Corporations — Corporation with French shareholders and head office in Algeria before and after independence — Nationalization of corporation and vesting of assets in Algerian public corporation — Purported transfer of head office of nationalized corporation to France — Assets abroad — Whether former directors or nationalized corporation entitled — Whether court of place of head office before nationalization has jurisdiction over affairs of corporation The law of Algeria.

The individual in international law — Nationality — Of corporations — Corporation founded to exploit mining concession in Algeria — Corporation statutes and concession agreements providing for head office in Algeria and jurisdiction of Algerian courts over disputes, and reserving ultimate control over corporation to Governor-General of Algeria — Legal status of Algeria before independence — Effect of independence on nationality — Continuity of law and administration — Affirmation of Algerian nationality by corporation after independence — Nationalization — Whether corporation subject to Algerian law — Whether transfer of head office to France and other acts of directors valid — Whether former directors entitled to represent corporation and claim assets abroad — Whether nationality of shareholders relevant criterion for determination of nationality of corporation — The law of Algeria.