RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN “CRIMEAN” INVESTMENT ARBITRATION CLAIMS

30 October, 2019
As we previously reported[1], the events of 2014 in Crimea have, aside from their geopolitical impact, also resulted in numerous investment arbitration claims being brought against Russia by Ukrainian companies in relation to their assets and investments in Crimea.  While these cases are ongoing, and while there are limited details in the public domain, the … Read more

HONG KONG: COURT GRANTS ANTI-SUIT INJUNCTION TO RESTRAIN FOREIGN PROCEEDINGS IN BREACH OF AN ARBITRATION AGREEMENT UNDER AN INSURANCE POLICY

27 August, 2019
In the recent case of AIG Insurance Hong Kong Ltd v Lynn McCullough and William McCullough [2019] HKCFI 1649, the Hong Kong Court of First Instance (CFI) considered the effect of an arbitration agreement under an insurance policy and, in particular, the circumstances in which an anti-suit injunction may be granted to restrain a party … Read more

ENGLISH COURT GRANTS ANTI-SUIT INJUNCTION ORDERING THE DEFENDANT TO DISCONTINUE ITS CLAIM IN A NEW YORK COURT UNDER A D&O INSURANCE POLICY

12 June, 2019
In a recent case, the English High Court (the Court) granted XL Insurance Company (XL) a final anti-suit injunction restraining Peter Little (PL) from pursuing litigation proceedings against XL in the District Court of the Southern District of New York (the New York proceedings), on the basis that PL was bound by the arbitration agreement … Read more

ENGLISH HIGH COURT OVERTURNS AN ARBITRAL AWARD AS IT HOLDS THAT AN ARBITRAL TRIBUNAL LACKED JURISDICTION OVER A DISSOLVED COMPANY PURSUANT TO SECTION 67 OF THE ENGLISH ARBITRATION ACT

07 June, 2019
The English Commercial court has overturned an arbitral award under section 67 of the English Arbitration Act 1996, finding that an arbitral tribunal lacked substantive jurisdiction because the respondent company in the arbitration had been dissolved by the time the notice of arbitration was filed (in GA-Hyun Chung v Silver Dry Bulk Co Ltd [2019] … Read more

HONG KONG COURT FINDS THAT DEFENDANT WAIVED RIGHT TO CHALLENGE JURISDICTION

06 March, 2019
Israel Sorin Shohat, the Third Defendant in proceedings commenced by Mr Balram Chainrai, sought to challenge the jurisdiction of Hong Kong courts to hear a matter related to an Israeli arbitral award issued in 2013. The court held that, while the deadline for challenging jurisdiction had not passed, Shohat had ultimately taken steps which indicated … Read more

English High Court recognises arbitral tribunal’s jurisdiction over settlement agreement in absence of express arbitration clause

13 February, 2019
In the recent decision of Sonact Group Limited v. Premuda SPA [2018] EWHC 3820 (Comm), the English High Court confirmed its pro-arbitration approach to the interpretation of arbitration agreements. The Court held that an arbitration agreement contained in a charterparty contract could apply in relation to disputes arising out of a subsequent settlement agreement contained … Read more

No U-Turns Ahead: Singapore Court of Appeal holds that commencement of court proceedings may lose you the right to later rely on arbitration agreements

31 January, 2019
In the recent landmark decision of Marty Ltd v Hualon Corp (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd [2018] SGCA 63, the Singapore Court of Appeal held that the commencement of court proceedings notwithstanding the existence of a binding arbitration agreement and without any explanation or qualification is in and of itself sufficient to constitute a prima facie repudiation … Read more

Be on time to preserve your right to Active Remedies – the Singapore High Court considers a party’s duty to apply promptly when challenging the jurisdiction of an arbitral tribunal

26 September, 2018
In Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Ltd (“RALL“) v Avant Garde Maritime Services (Private) Limited (“AGMS“) [2018] SGHC 78, the Singapore High Court dismissed an application to set aside an award on jurisdiction, on the basis that the applicant had failed to challenge the tribunal’s preliminary ruling on jurisdiction within the deadline stipulated under section 10(3) of … Read more

Tribunal awards India first BIT case win, dismissing claims of French investor

17 September, 2018
An UNCITRAL arbitral tribunal has reportedly dismissed a US$36 million claim by a French investor, Louis Dreyfus Armateurs SAS (“LDA“), against India under the 1997 France-India bilateral investment treaty (“BIT“). The award is not public at this time, but press reports state that LDA has also been ordered to pay approximately US$7 million in respect … Read more