ESTATE OF SA'ADOON v. Prince

ORDER

T.S. ELLIS, III, District Judge.

This matter raises an often overlooked question concerning the power of federal courts to review and approve settlement agreements between private parties. Plaintiffs and one defendant in this case seek court review and approval of a settlement of plaintiffs’ claims pursuant to Virginia’s wrongful death statute, Va.Code §§ 8.01-50-8.01-56, despite the fact that the wrongful death occurred in Baghdad, Iraq.

I

Plaintiffs in this case are the widow and two surviving sons of Raheem Khalaf Sa’adoon, all Iraqi citizens, and Sa’adoon’s estate. Prior to his death,…