Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 120.djvu/1553

 120 STAT. 1522

PUBLIC LAW 109–304—OCT. 6, 2006 ‘‘(2) if no plaintiff resides or has an office for the transaction of business in the United States, the action may be brought in the district court of the United States for any district.

‘‘§ 31105. Security when counterclaim filed ‘‘If a counterclaim is filed for a cause of action for which the original action is filed under this chapter, the respondent to the counterclaim shall give security in the usual amount and form to respond to the counterclaim, unless the court for cause shown orders otherwise. The proceedings in the original action shall be stayed until the security is given. ‘‘§ 31106. Exoneration and limitation ‘‘The United States is entitled to the exemptions from and limitations of liability provided by law to an owner, charterer, operator, or agent of a vessel. ‘‘§ 31107. Interest ‘‘A judgment in a civil action under this chapter may not include interest for the period before the judgment is issued unless the claim is based on a contract providing for interest. ‘‘§ 31108. Arbitration, compromise, or settlement ‘‘The Attorney General may arbitrate, compromise, or settle a claim under this chapter if a civil action based on the claim has been commenced. ‘‘§ 31109. Payment of judgment or settlement ‘‘The proper accounting officer of the United States shall pay a final judgment, arbitration award, or settlement under this chapter on presentation of an authenticated copy. Payment shall be made from any money in the Treasury appropriated for the purpose. ‘‘§ 31110. Subpoenas to officers or members of crew ‘‘An officer or member of the crew of a public vessel may not be subpoenaed in a civil action under this chapter without the consent of— ‘‘(1) the Secretary of the department or the head of the independent establishment having control of the vessel at the time the cause of action arose; or ‘‘(2) the master or commanding officer of the vessel at the time the subpoena is issued. ‘‘§ 31111. Claims by nationals of foreign countries ‘‘A national of a foreign country may not maintain a civil action under this chapter unless it appears to the satisfaction of the court in which the action is brought that the government of that country, in similar circumstances, allows nationals of the United States to sue in its courts. ‘‘§ 31112. Lien not recognized or created ‘‘This chapter shall not be construed as recognizing the existence of or as creating a lien against a public vessel of the United States.

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