Seeking Compensation for Torture Suffered Abroad: The Issue of Adjudicatory Jurisdiction From a European Perspective

1. Pecuniary compensation and the protection of victims of torture in the international law of human rights. – 2. Transnational litigation over civil liability arising from acts of torture: the practical relevance of the issue of adjudicatory jurisdiction. – 3. The European Union regime on jurisdiction in civil and commercial matters: the main grounds of jurisdiction available to victims of torture under the “Brussels I” Regulation. – 4. The proposed (but eventually abandoned) extension of the personal scope of application of the “Brussels I” Regulation and the creation of a European-wide “forum of necessity”. – 5. The rules of jurisdiction of some European countries and their possible relevance to claims for compensation in respect of torture. – 6. The possible developments expected from Strasbourg: the Nait-Liman case before the European Court of Human Rights.