Commercial Court honours its name: taking a commercial approach to a section 67 challenge
In the recent case of NDK Ltd v HUO Holding Ltd, the Commercial Court considered whether claims that come under both the terms of the articles of association of a foreign company and a shareholders agreement fall within an arbitration agreement and are arbitrable.
Can an arbitral award be challenged on the grounds of a third-party litigation funding costs award?
The recent English High Court decision in Tenke Fungurume Mining S.A. v Katanga Contracting Services SAS considered whether an arbitral award that awarded costs for obtaining litigation funding could be challenged on the grounds of serious irregularity under section 68 of the Arbitration Act 1996 (AA 1996).
2021 Arbitration year in review
The ongoing tragedy of the global pandemic was without a doubt the main story of 2021. While the latter half of 2020 was marked by a rush by practitioners, arbitrators and arbitral institutions to adapt to the world of remote working with travel and in-person hearings no longer possible, 2021 saw the fruits of that … Continue reading 2021 Arbitration year in review
Court finds a path to resolve conflicting jurisdiction clauses
Many litigators have been faced with determining the appropriate course of action to take when they have encountered a sophisticated contract containing two diametrically opposed forms of dispute resolution, final and binding arbitration on the one hand and exclusive jurisdiction of a national court on the other.
UKSC holds strict rules apply to service of enforcement proceedings on foreign states
Imagine this. You are an English company. You enter into a contract with a government of another state, say Libya. You agree to provide the goods. The government agrees to provide the money. The goods are sent, but the government fails to pay. Aghast, you bring an arbitration, pursuant to the terms of the contract. … Continue reading UKSC holds strict rules apply to service of enforcement proceedings on foreign states
Next generation of investment treaties
Over the last few years, there has been increasing public awareness and concern over the ability of private investors to sue democratically elected governments before privately constituted tribunals which operate “in secret” outside the sphere of domestic courts.
What’s the matter? English Court of Appeal clarifies meaning of section 9 of Arbitration Act 1996
The recent decision of the English Court of Appeal in Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse International and others reaffirms the arbitration-friendly approach taken by the English courts and the mandatory nature of stays under section 9 of the Arbitration Act 1996 (AA 1996). The decision also illustrates the difficulty that can be faced by the courts … Continue reading What’s the matter? English Court of Appeal clarifies meaning of section 9 of Arbitration Act 1996
English Court of Appeal provides novel guidance on experts’ duties to clients
On 11 January 2021, the English Court of Appeal handed down its decision in Secretariat Consulting PTE Ltd v A Company, which considered the novel issue of whether expert witnesses owe fiduciary duties to their clients. Although this case stemmed from a construction arbitration, it is of general application to the users of experts in … Continue reading English Court of Appeal provides novel guidance on experts’ duties to clients
Oh, what a year! 2020 arbitration year in review
2020 may have been many things, but it will not have been forgettable. While the biggest story in the world of arbitration was undoubtedly the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it did not stop major steps being taken to reform investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS), significant arbitration decisions being handed down by the English courts and arbitration … Continue reading Oh, what a year! 2020 arbitration year in review
How will an arbitration agreement influence the court’s approach in relation to a winding up petition?
A recent judgment handed down by Sir Geoffrey Vos, Chancellor of the High Court, considered the approach the court should take when a winding up petition is presented with regard to a debt that is not admitted and where the debt is subject to an arbitration agreement.
Impact of restructuring and insolvency on arbitration (Part 2)
Where the impact of restructuring and insolvency on arbitration is concerned, we have identified three distinct stages: Arbitrations commencing after an insolvency process (post insolvency). Insolvency processes occurring prior to an award but after the arbitration proceedings have commenced or where an arbitration and insolvency process run in tandem (mid-arbitration). Arbitrations which have commenced prior … Continue reading Impact of restructuring and insolvency on arbitration (Part 2)
Impact of restructuring and insolvency on arbitration (Part 1)
Increasing global pressures on businesses have and will for the foreseeable future lead to an increase in corporate restructurings, as businesses attempt to weather the current economic and commercial storm. With corporations relying increasingly on arbitration to resolve their disputes, particularly those engaging in cross-border trade, it is only a matter of time before parties … Continue reading Impact of restructuring and insolvency on arbitration (Part 1)
Arbitrating oppression: Fulham, Dickson and the unfair prejudice remedy
Most commercial disputes lawyers will have at least a passing familiarity with the unfair prejudice remedy, or the “oppression remedy”, to which it is often referred.
COVID-19: arbitrating in the midst of a pandemic
The 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in a period of exceptional uncertainty as well as substantial market instability worldwide. As previous crises have shown, commercial pressures on parties can lead to an increase in disputes and recourse to national courts and other forms of dispute resolution, including arbitration. With a quarter of … Continue reading COVID-19: arbitrating in the midst of a pandemic
What lies beneath: gas-pricing disputes and recent events in Southern Europe
While it would be premature to predict the end of the wave of European gas pricing arbitrations with the issue in January of the latest arbitration award in the ten year saga between Greece’s public gas corporation (DEPA) and Turkey’s BOTAŞ Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAŞ), the award does seem to straddle the end of one … Continue reading What lies beneath: gas-pricing disputes and recent events in Southern Europe
2019 arbitration year in review
2019 proved another busy year for arbitration lawyers, with the biggest story (again) being the European Commission’s drive to reshape the international system for the settlement of investment disputes (ISDS). We summarise the major stories of 2019 and set out what we can look forward to in 2020.
Disclosure of third party interests: the SCC and beyond
On 11 September 2019, the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC) adopted a policy encouraging the disclosure of the identity of “any third party with a significant interest in the outcome” of an SCC arbitration. This new policy is effective. Such disclosure will likely initially be contained within the parties’ first written submissions, although parties are … Continue reading Disclosure of third party interests: the SCC and beyond
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.
The courts and arbitration: the Eleni P Case, an example of “maximum support, minimum interference”
Back in 2016, Lord Thomas suggested that arbitration, and its inherent privacy, was seriously impeding the development of common law, particularly within the sphere of commercial law. In 2017, he went on to describe the courts as “complementary” to arbitration, with the courts providing “maximum support, minimum interference,” where necessary.
Memorials v pleadings: how to pick the winning approach for your arbitration
So you’ve settled your jurisdictional turf war, stayed court proceedings in favour of arbitration and finally have a conflicts-free tribunal. The next major tussle is likely to be over the procedure to be followed in the arbitration. Of the various issues to be determined, there is probably no more consequential decision than that of whether … Continue reading Memorials v pleadings: how to pick the winning approach for your arbitration
EU member states agree to terminate their intra-EU BITs: is this the end of intra-EU BIT arbitrations and what about Brexit?
In mid-January this year, all 28 EU member states signed declarations committing to terminate their intra-EU bilateral investment treaties (BITs). 21 EU member states (including the United Kingdom), went further and stated that the Achmea decision (described further below) also applies to intra-EU disputes pursuant to the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT).
2018 arbitration year in review
2018 has been a tumultuous year in the world of arbitration. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has dealt a blow to European investment arbitration, trade policy under Donald Trump’s administration has rattled investors the world over, long-standing legal sagas have continued, and developments in arbitral rules and legislation have seen a continued focus on … Continue reading 2018 arbitration year in review
Lawyers can be experienced too (you know)
It is rare that an arbitrator’s qualifications are challenged in court and even rarer for such a challenge to be taken up on appeal. However, Allianz Insurance Plc and another v Tonicstar Ltd was one such case.
Implications of economic sanctions on international arbitration
Introduction Since the end of the Cold War, economic sanctions have become one of the primary foreign policy tools employed by governments to force change in a regime’s policies and practices, particularly as governments seek to avoid the high cost of military conflict. Sanctions are now commonly used to prevent or punish proliferation of nuclear … Continue reading Implications of economic sanctions on international arbitration
Confirmed: foreign act of state doctrine applies in English arbitrations
Reliance Industries Ltd v Union of India concerned nine challenges brought under the English Arbitration Act 1996 (AA 1996) to an arbitral award, issued by a London seated UNCITRAL panel, in a dispute between two energy companies and the government of India over contracts for the exploitation of oil and gas. The claimants, who had roundly … Continue reading Confirmed: foreign act of state doctrine applies in English arbitrations
Great Station Properties v UMS Holding Limited: a continuation of the English courts’ pro arbitration approach
The decision of the English Commercial Court in Great Station Properties v UMS Holding Limited on 20 December 2017 was notable for arbitration practitioners on two counts. First, it showed the court’s willingness to order a worldwide freezing order (WFO) to aid the enforcement of an arbitral award and judgment of the court, and second … Continue reading Great Station Properties v UMS Holding Limited: a continuation of the English courts’ pro arbitration approach
2017 arbitration year in review
2017 proved a boisterous year in the world of arbitration. The Yukos saga continued, with the recipients of the largest arbitration award ever, set aside in 2016 by the Hague District Court (the jurisdiction where the arbitration was seated), dropping enforcement actions in the French and Belgian courts to focus on the Dutch appeal. Headline … Continue reading 2017 arbitration year in review
LCIA’s changes to its tribunal secretary process: about time to make it more transparent
The use of tribunal secretaries in international arbitration has been the subject of much criticism and debate in recent times. Much of the concern has focused on the idea of the tribunal secretary effectively performing the functions of a “second”, “fourth” or “shadow” arbitrator.
Update on the European Commission’s drive for investment courts
The European Commission has emerged as one of the biggest drivers for reform of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS). Arguing that the current ISDS system lacks legitimacy, consistency and transparency, the EU has taken a two-pronged approach in its push for reform. First, it has sought to replace traditional investor-state arbitration with a system of standing … Continue reading Update on the European Commission’s drive for investment courts
Tailoring the international commercial arbitration process for parties traditionally reluctant to enter into formal dispute resolution proceedings
Parties who provide for arbitration as a means for resolving commercial disputes generally do so because of the oft-cited perceived benefits of arbitration. These include confidentiality, potential time and cost savings, more limited disclosure, the ability to enforce awards in any of the New York Convention signatory countries and, notably, the ability to tailor the … Continue reading Tailoring the international commercial arbitration process for parties traditionally reluctant to enter into formal dispute resolution proceedings
Developments in international commercial arbitration involving Chinese parties
It has been well reported over the past few years that Asian arbitration centres are growing in popularity and are administering a larger share of arbitrations. This is reflected in the Singapore International Arbitration Centre’s (SIAC’s) annual report for 2016, published earlier this year. This report shows that in 2016, SIAC had its highest ever … Continue reading Developments in international commercial arbitration involving Chinese parties
Intra-EU BITs: time to reconsider European investment structures?
The EU’s quest to reshape European investment policy and dispute settlement is well documented, and has been the subject of much debate. One key element of that strategy is to eradicate bilateral investment treaties (BITs) concluded amongst EU member states – so-called “intra-EU BITs” (as opposed to BITs between EU member states and non-member states, … Continue reading Intra-EU BITs: time to reconsider European investment structures?
Arbitrability of minority shareholder disputes: extending the reach
On 9 January 2017, the Singapore Court of Appeal handed down judgment in L Capital Jones Ltd and another v Maniach Pte Ltd. The case concerned a shareholder dispute and raised a number of legal issues. However, of most interest for the international arbitration community was the court’s ruling on the arbitrability of the respondent’s … Continue reading Arbitrability of minority shareholder disputes: extending the reach
Standard Chartered Bank v TANESCO: contractual ICSID case calls finality of ICSID decisions into question
Whilst the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) Convention specifically provides for the revision of a final award in cases of “discovery of some fact of such a nature as decisively to affect the award”, it does not expressly address the question of whether, and on what basis, a tribunal may reconsider and possibly … Continue reading Standard Chartered Bank v TANESCO: contractual ICSID case calls finality of ICSID decisions into question
The IBA Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest: evolution not revolution
In 2004, in response to an increasing number of challenges based on conflicts of interest on the part of arbitrators, the International Bar Association published Guidelines on Conflicts Interest which were subsequently updated in 2014 (IBA Guidelines). More than a decade after their first publication, the widespread acceptance of the IBA Guidelines by the international … Continue reading The IBA Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest: evolution not revolution
Investment structuring in the context of investment treaty protections
Whilst strategic tax advice is by now an integral part of any international investment transaction, strategic nationality planning, so as to maximise investment protections with effective access to investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS), still very much remains the exception to the rule.
Confidentiality of arbitration in third-party proceedings: the law remains uncertain
The confidentiality of arbitration proceedings has long been recognised, and indeed this confidentiality is often cited as one of the key advantages of arbitration over litigation in circumstances where parties are keen to keep details of their dispute private. However, there are cases in which confidential materials generated during the course of an arbitration can … Continue reading Confidentiality of arbitration in third-party proceedings: the law remains uncertain
The EU flexes its muscles: update on EU foreign investment disputes
On 4 February 2016, the European Commission filed an amicus brief with the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, opposing the enforcement of the controversial International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) award against Romania in the Micula case. In its amicus brief, the Commission argued that the award was rendered under … Continue reading The EU flexes its muscles: update on EU foreign investment disputes
