BNP Paribas Appeals in the US in the Sudan Case, Supported by Bern and Washington
On May 22, 2026, BNP Paribas filed its appellate brief with the United States Court of Appeals to challenge the district court's judgment regarding financial operations in Sudan. The bank claims that the court made substantial legal errors and denied it access to crucial evidence.
BNP Paribas Challenges Errors in the District Court Judgment
BNP Paribas submitted its opening brief to the United States Court of Appeals on May 22, 2026. The brief argues that the district court 'seriously misunderstood Swiss law' and denied the bank the opportunity to present evidence demonstrating that the financial operations in question were authorized under Swiss and European law. The bank lists several legal errors in its challenge and intends to clarify them before the appellate jurisdiction.
Institutional and Governmental Support for BNP Paribas
On May 29, 2026, several interested third parties filed 'amicus curiae' briefs supporting BNP Paribas's legal position. Among the signatories are the Swiss and American governments, prominent academics and jurists, as well as leading professional organizations. The bank expresses confidence in the strength of its legal arguments for the appeal process.
Ongoing Litigation Related to BNP Paribas's Activities with Sudan
This procedure is part of a longstanding dispute related to BNP Paribas's activities with Sudan between 1997 and 2011, during which Sudanese plaintiffs accused the bank of facilitating, through its financial services, the operations of Omar al-Bashir's regime. In October 2025, a federal jury in Manhattan found BNP Paribas liable and awarded approximately $20.75 million in damages to three plaintiffs in a class action involving Sudanese refugees. BNP Paribas is challenging this decision on appeal, particularly arguing that the district court misapplied Swiss law, which the bank claims is applicable to the concerned operations.
