Opinion ID: 623016
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Other Issues Raised by the Defendant

Text: Arkel presents other arguments it alleges require dismissal. First, Arkel argues this action is barred because the plaintiffs are not proper parties under Iraqi law. It argues that Iraqi Civil Code Article 203 permits wrongful death and survival actions to be brought only by dependants of the victim, not surviving parents: In case of murder and in case of death resulting from wounds or any other injurious act renders the perpetrator liable to pay compensation to the dependants of the victim who have been deprived of sustenance on account of the murder or death. Iraqi Civ.Code art. 203, available at http:// gjpi.org/library/primary/statutes. Arkel raised this issue in its summary judgment motion and also argues it on appeal. The plaintiffs have never addressed it, in the district court or here, and the district court made no ruling. Although the definition of dependants is unclear from Article 203, other Code provisions could provide standing. The plaintiffs asserted in their initial complaint that they had standing under Articles 5 and 89 of the Iraqi Civil Code. It appears that the plaintiffs were relying on Article 5 of the Iraqi Code of Civil Procedure and Article 89 of the Iraqi Personal Status Law. According to an English translation on the website provided by Arkel, Article 5 of the Iraqi Code of Civil Procedure states: Any of the heirs may act as a counterpart (litigant) in any suit filed for or against the [deceased]. However, the counterpart in relation to a particular property in the estate shall be the heir who has acquired such property. At least one court has held that this provision gives parents standing in a wrongful death action in federal court seeking damages for the death of their son, who was killed in an automobile accident in Iraq. Baragona v. Kuwait Gulf Link Transp. Co., 691 F.Supp.2d 1346, 1347, 1349 (N.D.Ga.2007), vacated on jurisdictional grounds, 691 F.Supp.2d 1351 (N.D.Ga.2009). Further, the plaintiffs rely on a different provision that discusses inheritance by kinship and defines parents as heirs. Iraqi Personal Status Law art. 89; see also Baragona, 691 F.Supp.2d at 1349. We hold that a determination of whether the parents are proper parties is premature because the district court never addressed it. The possible sources for parental standing that we found under Iraqi law make the issue viable. Although we have the authority to consider grounds presented to but not ruled upon by the district court, we decline to do so because of the benefit the district court will have of any further evidentiary presentation on this issue. Bogy v. Ford Motor Co., 538 F.3d 352, 355 (5th Cir.2008). Arkel also argues that Iraqi law dictates that Louisiana law control all questions of procedure. Arkel refers to Article 28 of the Iraqi Civil Code for its authority, and then explains how that Article affects this case. See Iraqi Civ.Code art. 28. Because Arkel did not raise this issue in district court, we will not consider it. See N. Alamo Water Supply Co. v. City of San Juan, 90 F.3d 910, 916 (5th Cir.1996). In summary, we have determined that Iraqi law was sufficiently proven. By operation of Louisiana Civil Code Article 3549, the Iraqi three-year prescription period applies. Based on what has been introduced, that period did not expire prior to suit. CPA Order 17 does not prevent this suit. Whether parents are proper parties, and any other issue beyond what we have identified, are for further consideration on remand. REVERSED and REMANDED for further proceedings.