Opinion ID: 702303
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Do the Contacts Show a Basis for Prescriptive Jurisdiction?

Text: 84 The first essential question in Lauritzen analysis is whether the suit implicates significant interests of the United States. In accordance with Lauritzen's direction to construe American maritime law so as not to violate international law, we identify this preliminary inquiry with the question whether there is a basis for the United States to exercise prescriptive jurisdiction over the incident at issue. 85 International law has long recognized limitations on the authority of states to exercise jurisdiction to prescribe in circumstances affecting the interests of other states. RESTATEMENT, Introd. Note, at 230. The Restatement defines prescriptive jurisdiction--which is not to be confused with subject matter jurisdiction--as the authority of a state to make its law applicable to the activities, relations, or status of persons, or the interests of person in things.... RESTATEMENT Sec. 401(a). It lists several alternative bases for prescriptive jurisdiction. As a general matter (subject to restrictions we discuss below), nations may prescribe law 86 with respect to 87
88