WASHINGTON, Oct 17 (Reuters) - The Supreme Court said on Monday it would decide whether companies can be liable in this country for international human rights law violations, a case about Royal Dutch Shell Plc allegedly helping Nigeria violently suppress oil exploration protests in the 1990s.

The justices agreed to hear an appeal by a group of Nigerians who argue they should be allowed to proceed with their lawsuit accusing the oil company of aiding the Nigerian government in human rights violations between 1992 and 1995.

The plaintiffs, families of seven Nigerians who were executed by a former military government for protesting Shell’s exploration and development, sought to hold the company liable under a 1789 U.S. law called the Alien Tort Statute.

A U.S. appeals court in New York dismissed the lawsuit on the grounds corporations cannot be held liable in this country for violations of international human rights law.

Everyone, pay attention. Because the outcome of this case is going to be really, really important, and will potentially (hopefully) reshape how corporations operate worldwide.