In a series of decisions in August 2006, Judge Illston handed down some dramatic decisions in the case. First and foremost, she allowed the plaintiffs to make Chevron USA a defendant. She also granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss the claims under the Torture Victim Protection Act and the Alien Tort Claims Act. However, the court allowed the international law claim of crimes against humanity to go forward temporarily. On August 13, 2007, however, Judge Illston dismissed the claim of crimes against humanity.