Asked in International Law

Q: Dear, My private sailing yacht is confiscated in International waters.and returned damaged.

Dear,

My private sailing yacht is confiscated in International waters and drag to Spain in search for drugs by Spanish police.

There was no drugs on boat and boat is returned to me very damaged.$95 000 officially estimated.

I am Serbian citizen .no US residents.

My yacht is Delaware state registration.

Do I have right to sue Spanish government in US court because the yacht is Delaware flagged and it’s happened in international waters?

Best regards

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1 Lawyer Answer
David Luther Woodward
David Luther Woodward
Answered
  • International Law Lawyer
  • Pensacola, FL

A: Suing a sovereign state is a sticky-wicket anywhere. There is the traditional concept of sovereign immunity which simply put is "the King can do no wrong".

U. S. does have a statute permitting the filing of suits against foreign governments. It is, indeed, a specialty. Finding a lawyer who specializes in that might be time consuming, but I would suggest that you check with the lawyer referral services for the District of Columbia, New York City, or perhaps Miami-Dade County, Florida.

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