Ninth Circuit may order new trial vs Chevron for aiding and abetting

Back when I first started this blog in late 2008, there were a number of cases in the news related to the Alien Tort Statute (see here). One that gathered a lot of attention was a case by Nigerian citizens who alleged that oil giant Chevron Corp. cooperated with the Nigerian government in human rights abuses of protesters at the company's off-shore Nigerian facilities. That case ended up with a jury verdict in favor of Chevron. For that story (with links to more information) go here, here and here. Now, almost two years later, Law.com is reporting that a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals panel seemed to be open to the idea of ordering a new trial for the Nigerian villagers. Go here for the full story.