Singapore Court of Appeal partially sets aside arbitral award for breach of the fair hearing rule, and declines to adopt the “no evidence rule” as part of Singapore law
In a recent set aside action, the Singapore Court of Appeal (SGCA) has once again demonstrated its pro-arbitration stance. Being a Model Law jurisdiction, the Singapore courts will only set aside arbitral awards on limited grounds, for example, for breach of Singapore’s public policy and breach of natural justice. In CEF and other v CEH, … Continue reading Singapore Court of Appeal partially sets aside arbitral award for breach of the fair hearing rule, and declines to adopt the “no evidence rule” as part of Singapore law
Russian sanctions and anti-suits: a new legal torpedo?
On 9 December 2021, the Supreme Court of Russia issued a ruling in the case of JSC Uraltransmash v PESA (the decision) on the interpretation of legislative amendments made to the Russian Arbitrazh (Commercial) Procedure Code (the amendments). These provide for exclusive jurisdiction of Russian state courts over certain disputes involving sanctioned persons and disputes … Continue reading Russian sanctions and anti-suits: a new legal torpedo?
Arbitration in flux: Brexit and UK’s place in international arbitration
While the decision to leave the EU in 2016 may now seem like it was in the distant past, its repercussions continue to shape the future of the English legal profession. For arbitration, the disruption has created new opportunities and unforeseen obstacles. Jurisdictional clauses that once seemed adequate now appear lacking. The uncertainty surrounding English … Continue reading Arbitration in flux: Brexit and UK’s place in international arbitration
Remote Hearings: The New Normal for Greener Arbitration?
It is no secret that international arbitration proceedings can have a significant carbon footprint owing to a number of factors, ranging from large volumes of paperwork to international travel, particularly in cross-border disputes and complex matters which require the involvement of multiple witnesses, experts, and counsel from various jurisdictions. However, in recent years, organisations have … Continue reading Remote Hearings: The New Normal for Greener Arbitration?
Cairn Energy v Air India: a new approach to “flight risk” in enforcement terms?
Scottish energy company Cairn Energy plc (Cairn) has sought to enforce a $1.3 billion investment treaty award against the assets of India’s national airline, Air India.
Arbitrator bias: lessons from sports arbitration
Arbitrator bias has the potential to rock the very foundation of international arbitration. The principle that arbitrators must be impartial and independent from the parties is fundamental and uncontroversial among arbitration users. The understanding of what constitutes bias in concrete terms, however, is still open to debate.
From genesis to apocalypse: As Belgium heralds the end of the uncertainty on intra-EU BITs, has the UK missed an opportunity in a post-Brexit world?
The saga of the intra-EU bilateral investment treaties (intra-EU BITs) has taken many forms on different battlegrounds and its relevance goes beyond the borders of the European Union. From its genesis in Achmea v Slovak Republic, passing through many enforcement attempts outside the EU (as previously covered here and here), to its potential apocalypse with … Continue reading From genesis to apocalypse: As Belgium heralds the end of the uncertainty on intra-EU BITs, has the UK missed an opportunity in a post-Brexit world?
Drafter beware: High Court of Singapore confirms approach to interpreting apparently “conflicting” arbitration and jurisdiction clauses
On 16 November 2020, the High Court of Singapore rejected an application from the defendant to the litigation for a stay in favour of arbitration. In doing so, the court provided a helpful summary of the court’s analysis when faced with prima facie overlapping dispute resolution clauses in the same or related agreements. On the … Continue reading Drafter beware: High Court of Singapore confirms approach to interpreting apparently “conflicting” arbitration and jurisdiction clauses
The arbitrability of avoidance claims: English Commercial Court continues pro-arbitration trend
In Riverrock Securities Ltd v International Bank of St Petersburg, the English Commercial Court granted an interim anti-suit injunction (ASI) restraining proceedings brought in Russia by the liquidator of an insolvent company in breach of an arbitration agreement. The judgment addresses interesting issues regarding the arbitrability under English law of claims brought by liquidators pursuant to … Continue reading The arbitrability of avoidance claims: English Commercial Court continues pro-arbitration trend
Silence is not assent: English High Court sets aside arbitral award for lack of substantive jurisdiction
In the recent decision of MVV Environment Devonport Ltd v NTO Shipping GmbH & Co KG and others, the English High Court set aside an arbitral award issued by the London Maritime Arbitrators Association under section 67 of the Arbitration Act 1996 (AA 1996) on the basis that the arbitral tribunal lacked substantive jurisdiction over … Continue reading Silence is not assent: English High Court sets aside arbitral award for lack of substantive jurisdiction
Take a seat: English v French enforcement debate continues as Paris Court of Appeal rejects English court’s reasoning in Kabab-Ji v Kout Food Group
Almost a decade after the first directly opposing decisions in the case of Dallah, the French and English courts have, once again, rendered contrary decisions in the case of Kabab-Ji v Kout Food Group.
Enka v Chubb: English Court of Appeal reinforces London’s position as arbitration venue of choice
In the recent decision of Enka v Chubb, the English Court of Appeal affirmed the English courts’ jurisdiction to determine anti-suit injunctions in support of arbitrations seated in London, even when the courts would need to apply foreign law to decide the issue. The Court of Appeal also clarified that absent an explicit choice of … Continue reading Enka v Chubb: English Court of Appeal reinforces London’s position as arbitration venue of choice
Agreement for the termination of intra-EU BITs signed: the bell tolls?
On 6 May 2020, the European Commission announced that a majority of EU member states had signed the Agreement for the Termination of Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) between the Member States of the EU. The agreement will have a significant impact on the protective measures bestowed upon EU investors who have businesses in other EU … Continue reading Agreement for the termination of intra-EU BITs signed: the bell tolls?
How COVID-19 might affect international arbitration
The worry currently at the forefront of everyone’s mind is understandably the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. On 12 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the outbreak a pandemic, meaning drastic measures have been taken across the globe to prevent its further spread. At the time of publication, there have been … Continue reading How COVID-19 might affect international arbitration
Micula v Romania: rematch clause activated?
The Micula v Romania world tour continues. In a judgment handed down by the UK Supreme Court on 19 February 2020, the court held that the Miculas were entitled to enforce their ICSID award of approximately US $331 million against Romania, despite the fact that the award remains subject to an ongoing state aid investigation … Continue reading Micula v Romania: rematch clause activated?
Nom nom nom: recent Court of Appeal decision gives food for thought on no oral modification (NOM) clause in arbitration dispute
In the recent decision of Kabab-Ji v Kout Food Group, the English Court of Appeal addressed the question of what law governs an arbitration agreement in the absence of an express provision. It went on to refuse the enforcement of an arbitral award on the basis that the party against whom the award was to … Continue reading Nom nom nom: recent Court of Appeal decision gives food for thought on no oral modification (NOM) clause in arbitration dispute
To disclose or not to disclose? UK Supreme Court hears appeal on arbitrators’ disclosure obligations
In November this year, the UK Supreme Court heard the appeal in the Halliburton v Chubb, which has been the subject of much scrutiny by the arbitration community recently.
Federal Government of Nigeria granted stay of enforcement and leave to appeal in key arbitration case
Quantum of suffering The English High Court recently provided the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) some respite in its ongoing dispute with the British Virgin Islands company, Process & Industrial Developments Ltd (P&ID) by granting FGN leave to appeal and a stay on enforcement of the arbitral award made against it in January 2017. Having … Continue reading Federal Government of Nigeria granted stay of enforcement and leave to appeal in key arbitration case
Micula v Romania: an OK (and not a KO) in the latest round of proceedings
In the latest round of the long-running Micula saga, the US District Court for the District of Columbia has confirmed an ICSID award against Romania, entering judgment for approximately US $331 million in an action to enforce the award.
