Ecuador's highest court has upheld a $9.5 billion judgment against oil giant Chevron for decades of rainforest damage.  Plaintiffs celebrated the constitutional court's decision..., saying it should pave the way for indigenous tribes to receive compensation for oil spills that contaminated groundwater and soil...[T]he ruling is largely symbolic as Chevron no longer operates in the South American country...Ecuador's government will have to pursue assets...in foreign courts, where it so far has had little luck...Last week, an appeals court in Argentina rejected an attempt by Ecuador to collect on its award, echoing earlier rulings by courts in Canada, Gibraltar and Brazil...

Chevron said in a statement that the high court's decision "is consistent with the pattern of denial of justice, fraud and corruption against Chevron in Ecuador."...It added that Chevron "will continue to work through international courts to expose and hold accountable those responsible for the judicial fraud and extortion against Chevron in Ecuador."  In an added twist, the American lawyer who for years represented Ecuador in the matter was barred Tuesday from practicing law in New York state...