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The Alien Tort Statute ("ATS") was first enacted as part of the Judiciary Act of 1789. The Judiciary Act was the first statute of the newly-founded United States of America and provided for the establishment of the judiciary on the federal level. This is the introductory chapter of the book, which presents the direct reasons for the inclusion of the ATS are uncertain since the legislative record on ATS is completely silent. However, it is likely that its enactment was connected to the mistreatment of foreign ambassadors and the occurrence of piracy. Over the years, courts assumed jurisdiction over numerous claims, including genocide; war crimes; summary execution; forced disappearance; slavery; and prolonged and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment. The chapter presents an overview of how other chapters of the book are organised.
Keywords: Alien Tort Statute ("ATS"); legislative record