Republic of Philippines v. Pimentel, Temporary Administrator of Estate of Pimentel, Deceased

Summary

The Court held that under Rule 19(b) the district court must give weight to the foreign sovereign immunity of absent required parties before proceeding with the litigation. The Court of Appeals erred by evaluating the merits of the Republic of Philippines' claims, which infringed on its immunity, and reversed the judgment to order dismissal. Justice Stevens and Justice Souter concurred in part and dissented in part, arguing for remand with a stay or reassignment rather than dismissal.