71.   The concept that the government could do no wrong -- sovereign immunity -- was a holdover from English law when kings were considered infallible.

72.   The court has frequently ruled on matters of governmental immunity from suits by citizens, and generally found that concepts of sovereign immunity bar such litigation.

73.   France has argued that it has sovereign immunity before US courts and that the case involves sensitive diplomatic matters.

74.   A lower court let the process go forward, but the US court of Appeals threw it out, saying Germany was protected by foreign sovereign immunity.

75.   Lawyers for the Sultan of Brunei and his brother argued Monday they are protected by sovereign immunity from a lawsuit filed by six women accusing them of sexual coercion.

76.   Stephanie Mills of Greenpeace said if France attempted to shelter behind claims of sovereign immunity it would show it feared facing the law.