REUTERS | Mark Blinch
September 12, 2019

The need for a Data Protection Protocol for arbitration proceedings

REUTERS | Mark Blinch
September 12, 2019

The need for a Data Protection Protocol for arbitration proceedings

In an ongoing NAFTA Chapter 11 investor-state dispute (Tennant Energy v Canada), the claimant raised the rather novel question about whether the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was applicable to arbitration proceedings. Tennant Energy had, amongst other things, referred to the fact that one of the arbitrators, Sir Daniel Bethlehem QC, was a UK national with offices in London and thus fell under the GDPR. Since arbitration proceedings typically involve a huge amount of data (including personal data), which the arbitrators receive from the parties and which they must process, it is not far-fetched to argue for the applicability of the GDPR in arbitration proceedings. Continue reading →

REUTERS | Daniel Becerril
September 10, 2019

The curse of costs under the UAE Federal Arbitration Law

Claims for costs are a key ingredient of any arbitration proceeding, in particular in circumstances where alternative recourse to the local courts does not allow the prevailing party to recover its costs on a full indemnity basis. This is, for instance, the case in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), whose courts, although awarding full court fees to the prevailing party, only provide for nominal recovery of party costs and, in particular, counsel fees. This can create some discouragement for parties with small value claims, given that legal fees can be significant even in smaller cases. In such circumstances, parties will hope to find a greater degree of flexibility in arbitration.

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REUTERS | Brendan McDermid
September 5, 2019

How to react to annulled arbitral awards

  • by Selin Ece Onur
  • Attorney At Law, LLM Candidate at University of Texas

International arbitration has been gaining popularity as an alternative to litigation. Despite its popularity, there are still some grey areas of international arbitration which are highly debated amongst the courts and scholars. Despite being one of the most fundamental issues of international arbitration, the enforcement of annulled arbitral awards is one of those grey areas. Continue reading →

REUTERS | Dado Ruvic
August 30, 2019

Partial award on advance deposits: what happens if there is a jurisdictional challenge?

Under major institutional rules, there is a clear obligation on the parties to pay advance deposits towards the costs of the arbitration in equal proportions. However, there are times when a wayward respondent, as a frustration tactic, refuses to pay its share of advance deposits. If the respondent fails to pay advance deposits, the arbitral institution, after sending various reminders to the respondent, will eventually request the claimant to pay the respondent’s share. If the claimant does not pay the respondent’s share, then the tribunal may suspend its work and the institution may suspend administration of the arbitration. Continue reading →

REUTERS | Ilya Naymushin
August 23, 2019

Sanctions and arbitration clauses

Sanctions have been described as the new economic battlefield and, in recent years, there has been a sharp increase in the imposition of sanctions as a foreign policy tool for effecting political change. This blog post considers some of the practical implications of sanctions for those drafting arbitration clauses. Whilst there is no perfect solution to the problems that arise as a result of the imposition of sanctions, this post highlights some of the key issues to consider and how the choices made by the parties can, in some cases, minimise the impact of sanctions on the conduct of an international arbitration. Whilst this blog focuses on the impact of EU and US sanctions on Russian entities, the points discussed are of general application. Continue reading →

REUTERS | Amir Cohen
August 19, 2019

When arbitration, politics and sanctions collide: The Iranian Ministry of Defence and Support for Armed Forces Logistics v International Military Services

There are few arbitration cases which, whilst starting off as a contractual dispute, over time morph into a symbol of something else entirely. The case of The Iranian Ministry of Defence and Support for Armed Forces Logistics (MODSAF) v International Military Services is one such case. Continue reading →

REUTERS | Jumana El Heloueh
August 15, 2019

The UAE Federal Arbitration Law one year in: taking stock

The adoption of the UAE Federal Arbitration Law (UAE FAL) was welcomed with great acclaim in June last year. It entered into force on 16 June 2018 and has since applied to arbitrations seated in the UAE, including those pending at the time of entry into force of the new law. The UAE FAL is, in relevant part, albeit not exclusively, based on the UNCITRAL Model Law, which in itself has lifted the perception of UAE-seated arbitrations that are governed by the new law to a new level. The UAE is now seen as a Model Law jurisdiction that complies with international best standards and practice. Continue reading →

REUTERS | Toby Melville
August 9, 2019

Anti-arbitration injunctions: the implications of Sabbagh

In Sabbagh v Khoury, the Court of Appeal confirmed the court’s jurisdiction to grant an anti-arbitration injunction (AAI) in exceptional cases where it would be vexatious and oppressive because of proceedings in England. Additionally, it held that it was not necessary for the exercise of that jurisdiction to show that England was forum conveniens. Continue reading →