The US Supreme Court on Monday allowed a multi-billion dollar lawsuit to go forward against a group of top international corporations accused of aiding the apartheid-era South African government.

The top court issued a short statement saying that it had been unable to reach a quorum on the case, as four of the nine justices recused themselves over potential conflicts of interest.

Under US law, six justices must sit in on a case for it to be heard.

The Court therefore upheld a decision by the US appeals court in New York that the case, an amalgam of a group of lawsuits by apartheid victims, including claims of up to $400-billion, could go ahead.

Chief Justice John Roberts, and justices Anthony Kennedy, Stephen Breyer and Samuel Alito took no part in the decision, possibly in a sign that they had financial interests of other ties to the companies involved.

Corporations named in the suit include Exxon Mobil, Citigroup and the Ford Motor Company.

The original suit was first filed in 2002 under US legislation allowing foreigners to sue in US courts over alleged breaches of international law.

AFP