Kopytoff v Commercial Representation of the USSR

• Docket Number: Case No. 184
• Date: 07 November 1932
• Court: District Court (Norway)

Norway, Court of Oslo.

Case No. 184

Kopytoff

and

The Commercial Representation of the U.S.S.R.

Trade Delegations — Immunities of — Commercial Representation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in Norway.

The Facts.—On January 15, 1926, the head of the Commercial Representation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics engaged the plaintiff, who was a citizen of the U.S.S.R., as a member of the Commercial Representation in Oslo. On April 1, after his engagement had been terminated, the plaintiff brought an action against the Representation claiming the balance of his salary and compensation with regard to the salary which he had received but had been forced to place in Russian State loans.

The Commercial Representation of the U.S.S.R. pleaded to the jurisdiction of Norwegian Courts. It relied on the Treaty between Norway and the U.S.S.R. of December 15, 1925, Article 4 (3) of which ran as follows:

“In accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2, the Commercial Representation shall be under the direction...