Can someone from the US sue someone in another country?

Asked by: Werner Hayes  |  Last update: August 17, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (2 votes)

The answer is yes. Personal jurisdiction over the defendant is essential in international legal disputes, much like it is in domestic ones.

Can an American sue someone in another country?

In conclusion, the ability to sue someone in another country depends on a variety of factors such as jurisdiction, international laws, and legal agreements between countries. It is essential to consult with legal experts and consider these factors before pursuing any legal action across borders.

What happens if you sue someone and they leave the country?

The creditor will finish the lawsuit in your absence and get at least a default judgment. In most livable countries (for a person who has lived in the USA) anywhere you go in the world a judgment can follow you through the court systems in that country and maybe eventually collected. It is expensive. It is slow.

How does an international lawsuit work?

Litigation is simply the trial of cases in international courts such as the International Court of Justice, the Court of Justice of the EU, and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. The defendants must agree to such litigation and both parties must agree to follow the judgment.

Who can sue in international court?

The court can only hear cases against states, rather than individuals. The latter is the responsibility of domestic courts, as well as other international courts, including the International Criminal Court (ICC). Nations may bring disputes before the ICJ when their direct interests are affected.

Can I Sue Someone In Another Country For Defamation? - CountyOffice.org

17 related questions found

How do I settle an international dispute?

There are a diverse set of techniques used in international dispute settlement, including negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and adjudication.

How to sue a company in another country?

Successfully suing a foreign company often requires adherence to international agreements like the Hague Service Convention. These rules streamline the process for delivering legal notices and increase the chances of your case being heard in court.

What kind of lawyer do I need if I want to sue someone?

Civil litigation lawyers often go to court to represent their clients, including for personal injury claims, contract disputes, and other common civil matters. Likewise, criminal defense attorneys frequently defend their clients in court.

Can you leave the country with a judgement against you?

If a U.S. court enters a judgment against you, and you leave the country, your creditors will face significant hurdles in their efforts to enforce the judgement.

Can you sue a non-citizen?

Can a U.S. Citizen Sue a Foreign Citizen? Yes, a U.S. citizen can sue a foreign citizen in U.S. courts under certain conditions. The U.S. court must have personal jurisdiction over the foreign citizen.

Can you go to jail for slander in the US?

Written defamation is called "libel," and spoken defamation is considered "slander," and they both fall under "defamation." In the US, defamation is not usually a crime. Instead, it is a "tort" or civil wrong. Under the law, a person who has been defamed can seek damages from the perpetrator.

Can a lawyer from another country represent you?

Can a foreign lawyer give counsel in the United States? A foreign lawyer cannot provide legal services in the United States without being admitted to at least one state's bar. Exceptions may exist in some states for example, where foreign lawyers may apply for a license as a foreign law consultant.

Can I leave the country if I have a court case?

For civil cases, generally, there are no restrictions on travel unless specifically ordered by the court. However, if it's a criminal case, you may have conditions placed on your travel, especially if you've been released on bail or your travel could be seen as a risk of flight.

Can you sue someone who owes you money without a contract?

Yes, if you lent someone money and they never paid you back you can sue for the money they owe you. Additionally, you do not need a contract to sue someone for money owed, however, if there is a contract or some type of written agreement or evidence of an agreement this will be useful in court.

Can you sue someone in Dubai?

Submit your statement of claim and supporting documents to the Case Management Office at the relevant court. Alternatively, you can create electronic records of the lawsuit. The submission must be in Arabic or translated into Arabic by a certified legal translator.

How much money do you need to sue someone?

The Average Cost of a Lawsuit

On average, a lawsuit costs approximately $10,000 for a simple suit. However, numerous factors can influence the cost of your lawsuit.

Which lawyer wins most cases?

Settings. Gerry Spence is widely considered one of the most successful trial and criminal attorneys in America. He has never once lost a criminal case — either as a prosecutor or a defense attorney — and he hasn't lost a civil case since 1969.

Is it worth suing someone with no money?

Essentially, you might think suing someone with no money is futile, but that's not the case. The law protects your rights and allows you to seek compensation if someone causes you harm or loss, regardless of their financial status.

Can an American sue someone from another country?

It is sometimes possible to sue someone for disputes that occur overseas, but the legal feasibility and process can be complicated and depend on various factors including the nature of the dispute, the jurisdictions involved, the specific laws that apply, and the treaties or agreements between the countries in question ...

Do US courts have jurisdiction in foreign countries?

U.S. courts also have little trouble exercising jurisdiction over foreign entities with a minimal nexus to the U.S. when the federal law giving rise to the claim specifically establishes personal jurisdiction over the defendant upon receipt of proper service of process (for a discussion of “service” issues, see below).

How much does it cost to sue someone in Germany?

The claimant has to pay in Court Fees (Gerichtsgebühren). The exact sum depends on the amount in dispute (Streitwert). A few examples: if you sue for 2,000 Euros the court fee is 219 Euros. If you sue for 10,000 Euros, the court fee is 588 Euros and if you sue for a million Euros the court fee is 13,368 Euros.

What are 4 ways of settling disputes?

The most common ADR methods are negotiation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, and private judging.
  • Negotiation. Negotiation is usually the first approach to take before resorting to other ADR methods. ...
  • Mediation. Mediation is a type of assisted negotiation. ...
  • Conciliation. ...
  • Arbitration. ...
  • Private Judging. ...
  • Conclusion.

Who settles disputes between countries?

The WTO has one of the most active international dispute settlement mechanisms in the world. Since 1995, 631 disputes have been brought to the WTO and over 350 rulings have been issued.

What is the Article 33 of the United Nations?

Article 33 of the Charter states that any dispute that is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security should first be addressed through negotiation, mediation or other peaceful means, and states that the Council can call on the parties to use such means to settle their dispute.