The Harman confidentiality undertaking (or obligation of confidentiality of documents obtained pursuant to discovery, document production or subpoena) is well established: in principle, information obtained pursuant to discovery or subpoena cannot be used for a collateral or ulterior purpose unrelated to the proceedings in which that production occurs. From time to time there is some … Read more

Two recent judgments from different Australian courts have considered circumstances in which insolvency disputes can (or cannot) be arbitrated in accordance with pre-existing arbitration agreements. In particular, the decisions address the following two key issues: when certain insolvency claims can be arbitrated; and when a third party can participate in arbitral proceedings either claiming or … Read more

In a recent application to enforce an arbitral award, the Federal Court of Australia rejected the award debtor’s arguments that it would be contrary to public policy to enforce the award, where allegations of procedural unfairness had already been determined in foreign courts.  In doing so, the Court reaffirmed the high threshold required for an … Read more

INTRODUCTION AND TAKEAWAY In a recent decision, the Supreme Court of New South Wales set aside an arbitral award on the basis that the arbitrator had failed to give one party a proper opportunity to present its case. While there is a high bar for judicial intervention in arbitration proceedings, Australian courts will act to … Read more

A drawcard for arbitration is its flexible nature, which makes it a suitable mechanism for resolving a wide range of bespoke disputes. This flexibility can allow a tribunal to resolve disputes in accordance with specific laws and procedures which the parties select – including non-municipal systems of law. Read more

The Supreme Court of Western Australia has confirmed that the appropriate test for determining whether there were any ‘justifiable doubts’ as to the independence or impartiality of an arbitrator, under the Commercial Arbitration Act 2012 (WA) (CAA)[1] is whether there is a ‘real danger of bias’. In making its decision, the Court largely applied and … Read more

In Power and Water Corporation v ENI Australia B.V [2022] WASC 376 the Supreme Court of Western Australia has provided clarification on the use of ‘urgent relief’ clauses, which permit parties to an arbitration agreement to obtain urgent relief from a court. Read more

The Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (ACICA) has released its report: ‘Reflections on the Last Decade of Activity at ACICA’, in celebration of 10 years since significant legislative reforms were made to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of arbitration in Australia. The report coincided with the 10th anniversary of the annual Australian Arbitration week … Read more