A human rights organization sought leave to intervene as a friend of the court in three related civil actions alleging human rights abuses in Guatemala by subsidiaries of Canadian mining companies.
The proposed intervention related to pending motions by the defendants to dismiss the claims for failure to disclose a reasonable cause of action.
The proposed intervenor argued it could assist the court by providing expertise on international human rights law, transnational corporate responsibility, and the potential scope of a duty of care owed by Canadian parent corporations for overseas conduct of subsidiaries.
The court held that the organization could provide a useful legal perspective on international standards and policy considerations without interfering with the evidentiary record.
Leave to intervene was granted with limits on written and oral submissions.
