Case Law
Available documents (681)
China / 25 February 2022 / China, 山东省青岛市中级人民法院 (Shandong, Qingdao Intermediate People’s Court) / ECOM Agroindustrial Corp. Ltd. Switzerland v. 青岛锦华东国际贸易有限公司 / (2021)鲁02协外认3号
Country China Court China, 山东省青岛市中级人民法院 (Shandong, Qingdao Intermediate People’s Court) Date 25 February 2022 Parties ECOM Agroindustrial Corp. Ltd. Switzerland v. 青岛锦华东国际贸易有限公司 Case number (2021)鲁02协外认3号 Applicable NYC Provisions IV | V | V(1)(a) | V(1)(b) Source https://wenshu.court.gov.cn/ (China Judgements Online)
Languages Chinese Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=6802&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFCanada / 31 December 2020 / Canada, Queen's Bench for Saskatchewan / Parrish & Heimbecker Ltd. v. TSM Winny AG Ltd. / QBG 368 of 2020
Country Canada Court Canada, Queen's Bench for Saskatchewan Date 31 December 2020 Parties Parrish & Heimbecker Ltd. v. TSM Winny AG Ltd. Case number QBG 368 of 2020 Applicable NYC Provisions I | I(1) | I(3) | II | II(1) | II(2) | IV | IV(1) | IV(1)(a) | IV(1)(b) | V | XII Source 2020 SKQB 348 | online: CanLII
Languages English Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=6819&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFChina / 31 December 2020 / China, 山东省青岛市中级人民法院 (Shandong, Qingdao Intermediate People’s Court) / 翱兰国际有限公司 (Olam International Limited) v. 青岛中商恒通国际贸易有限公司 / (2020)鲁02协外
Country China Court China, 山东省青岛市中级人民法院 (Shandong, Qingdao Intermediate People’s Court) Date 31 December 2020 Parties 翱兰国际有限公司 (Olam International Limited) v. 青岛中商恒通国际贸易有限公司 Case number (2020)鲁02协外 Applicable NYC Provisions III | IV | V Source https://wenshu.court.gov.cn/ (China Judgements Online)
Languages Chinese Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=6809&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFChina / 24 December 2020 / China, 浙江省湖州市中级人民法院 (Zhejiang, Huzhou Intermediate People’s Court) / 奥克塔福系统有限公司 (Octaform Systems Inc.) v. 华浚塑料建材有限公司 / (2019)浙05协外认1号
Country China Court China, 浙江省湖州市中级人民法院 (Zhejiang, Huzhou Intermediate People’s Court) Date 24 December 2020 Parties 奥克塔福系统有限公司 (Octaform Systems Inc.) v. 华浚塑料建材有限公司 Case number (2019)浙05协外认1号 Applicable NYC Provisions IV | V | V(1) | V(1)(b) | V(1)(c) | V(1)(d) | V(2) | V(2)(b) Source https://wenshu.court.gov.cn/ (China Judgements Online)
Languages Chinese Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=6810&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFUnited States / 15 December 2020 / United States, U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit / 1:20-cv-20059-RNS / 1:20-cv-20059-RNS
Country United States Court United States, U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit Date 15 December 2020 Parties 1:20-cv-20059-RNS Case number 1:20-cv-20059-RNS Applicable NYC Provisions II | II(2) | IV Source online: PACER
Languages English affirms : Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=6581&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFUnited States / 17 November 2020 / United States, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas / Waleed Bin Al-Qarqani, et al. v. Arab American Oil Company, et al. / 4:18-CV-1807
Country United States Court United States, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas Date 17 November 2020 Parties Waleed Bin Al-Qarqani, et al. v. Arab American Oil Company, et al. Case number 4:18-CV-1807 Applicable NYC Provisions II | IV | V | V(1) | V(1)(c) | V(1)(d) | V(2) Source online: PACER
Languages English see also : Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=6575&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFIndia / 16 September 2020 / India, Supreme Court / Government of India v. Vedanta Limited, Ravva Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd and Videocon Industries Limited / Civil Appeal No. 3185 of 2020
Country India Court India, Supreme Court Date 16 September 2020 Parties Government of India v. Vedanta Limited, Ravva Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd and Videocon Industries Limited Case number Civil Appeal No. 3185 of 2020 Applicable NYC Provisions III | IV | IV(1) | V | V(1) | V(1)(e) | V(2) | V(2)(b) Source https://www.sci.gov.in (website of the Supreme Court of India)
Languages English Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=6372&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFNetherlands / 25 August 2020 / Netherlands, Gerechtshof Den Haag (Court of Appeal of The Hague) / Seaquest-Infotel Inc. v. Société des télécommunications du Mali S.A. / 200.272.114
Country Netherlands Court Netherlands, Gerechtshof Den Haag (Court of Appeal of The Hague) Date 25 August 2020 Parties Seaquest-Infotel Inc. v. Société des télécommunications du Mali S.A. Case number 200.272.114 Applicable NYC Provisions IV | V | V(2) | V(2)(b) Source https://www.rechtspraak.nl (official website of the Netherlands judiciary system)
Languages Dutch Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=6607&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFNetherlands / 17 July 2020 / Netherlands, Gerechtshof Den Haag (Court of Appeal of The Hague) / Offshore Support Vessels 12 Pte. Ltd. and Vroon Offshore Services Pte. Ltd. v. Inrada International Subsea Projects B.V. / 200.276.881/01
Country Netherlands Court Netherlands, Gerechtshof Den Haag (Court of Appeal of The Hague) Date 17 July 2020 Parties Offshore Support Vessels 12 Pte. Ltd. and Vroon Offshore Services Pte. Ltd. v. Inrada International Subsea Projects B.V. Case number 200.276.881/01 Applicable NYC Provisions IV | IV(1) | IV(2) Source https://www.rechtspraak.nl (official website of the Netherlands judiciary system)
Languages Dutch Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=6447&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFNetherlands / 14 July 2020 / Netherlands, Gerechtshof Amsterdam (Court of Appeal of Amsterdam) / 200.224.067/01 / 200.224.067/01
Country Netherlands Court Netherlands, Gerechtshof Amsterdam (Court of Appeal of Amsterdam) Date 14 July 2020 Parties 200.224.067/01 Case number 200.224.067/01 Applicable NYC Provisions III | IV | V | V(1) | V(1)(a) | V(1)(b) | V(1)(c) | V(1)(d) | V(2) Source https://www.rechtspraak.nl (official website of the Netherlands judiciary system)
Languages Dutch see also : Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=6343&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFLithuania / 30 June 2020 / Lithuania, Lietuvos Apeliacinis Teismas (Court of Appeal of Lithuania) / Univers Acier Morocco v. PAO “Murmanskoje morskoje parochodstvo” / e2T-35-381/2020
Country Lithuania Court Lithuania, Lietuvos Apeliacinis Teismas (Court of Appeal of Lithuania) Date 30 June 2020 Parties Univers Acier Morocco v. PAO “Murmanskoje morskoje parochodstvo” Case number e2T-35-381/2020 Applicable NYC Provisions III | IV | IV(1) | V | V(1) | V(1)(d) | V(2) | V(2)(b) Source https://www.apeliacinis.lt (website of the Court of Appeal of Lithuania)
Languages Lithuanian Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=6368&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFNetherlands / 18 June 2020 / Netherlands, Gerechtshof ‘s-Hertogenbosch (Court of Appeal of ‘s-Hertogenbosch) / 200.266.205_01
Country Netherlands Court Netherlands, Gerechtshof ‘s-Hertogenbosch (Court of Appeal of ‘s-Hertogenbosch) Date 18 June 2020 Case number 200.266.205_01 Applicable NYC Provisions II | III | IV Source https://www.rechtspraak.nl (official website of the Netherlands judiciary system)
Languages Dutch Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=6253&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFChina / 17 June 2020 / China, 广州海事法院 (Guangzhou Maritime Court) / 安富尔自由贸易区公司 (Emphor FZCO) v. 广东粤新海洋工程装备股份有限公司 / (2020)粤72协外认1号
Country China Court China, 广州海事法院 (Guangzhou Maritime Court) Date 17 June 2020 Parties 安富尔自由贸易区公司 (Emphor FZCO) v. 广东粤新海洋工程装备股份有限公司 Case number (2020)粤72协外认1号 Applicable NYC Provisions IV | V | V(1) | V(1)(b) | V(1)(c) | V(2) Source http://wenshu.court.gov.cn (China Judgements Online)
Languages Chinese Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=6556&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFUnited States / 01 June 2020 / United States, U.S. Supreme Court / GE Energy Power Conversion France SAS, Corp., formerly known as, Converteam SAS v. Outokumpu Stainless USA, LLC et al. / 18-1048
Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFUnited States / 22 May 2020 / United States, U.S. District Court, District of Kansas / Dreymoor Fertilizers Overseas Pte. Ltd. v. AVAgro, LLC and UAB AVAgro / 20-mc-0105-EFM-GEB
Country United States Court United States, U.S. District Court, District of Kansas Date 22 May 2020 Parties Dreymoor Fertilizers Overseas Pte. Ltd. v. AVAgro, LLC and UAB AVAgro Case number 20-mc-0105-EFM-GEB Applicable NYC Provisions IV Source online: PACER
Languages English Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=6324&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFCyprus / 08 May 2020 / Cyprus, Επαρχιακό Δικαστήριο Λευκωσίας (District Court of Nicosia) / Dreamhack AB v. Solser Management Limited / General Application No. 110/19
Country Cyprus Court Cyprus, Επαρχιακό Δικαστήριο Λευκωσίας (District Court of Nicosia) Date 08 May 2020 Parties Dreamhack AB v. Solser Management Limited Case number General Application No. 110/19 Applicable NYC Provisions IV | V Source http://www.cylaw.org (CyLaw website)
Languages Greek, Modern (1453-) Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=6697&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFCyprus / 05 May 2020 / Cyprus, Επαρχιακό Δικαστήριο Λευκωσίας (District Court of Nicosia) / Smagin v. Kalken Holdings Limited and Yegiazaryan / General Application No. 601/2017
Country Cyprus Court Cyprus, Επαρχιακό Δικαστήριο Λευκωσίας (District Court of Nicosia) Date 05 May 2020 Parties Smagin v. Kalken Holdings Limited and Yegiazaryan Case number General Application No. 601/2017 Applicable NYC Provisions IV | IV(1) | IV(1)(a) | IV(1)(b) | IV(2) | V | V(2) | V(2)(b) Source http://www.cylaw.org (CyLaw website)
Languages Greek, Modern (1453-) Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=6711&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFChina / 30 April 2020 / China, 广东省东莞市中级人民法院 (Guangdong, Dongguan Intermediate People’s Court) / 科兹集团分销有限公司 (Limited Liability Company, Kurgroup Distribution) v. 广东省东莞畜产进出口有限公司 / (2019)粤19协外认1号
Country China Court China, 广东省东莞市中级人民法院 (Guangdong, Dongguan Intermediate People’s Court) Date 30 April 2020 Parties 科兹集团分销有限公司 (Limited Liability Company, Kurgroup Distribution) v. 广东省东莞畜产进出口有限公司 Case number (2019)粤19协外认1号 Applicable NYC Provisions I | II | IV | V | V(1) | V(1)(b) | V(1)(c) Source http://wenshu.court.gov.cn (China Judgements Online)
Languages Chinese Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=6553&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFCyprus / 30 April 2020 / Cyprus, Επαρχιακό Δικαστήριο Λευκωσίας (District Court of Nicosia) / State of Montenegro v. CEAC Holdings Limited / General Application No. 58/18
Country Cyprus Court Cyprus, Επαρχιακό Δικαστήριο Λευκωσίας (District Court of Nicosia) Date 30 April 2020 Parties State of Montenegro v. CEAC Holdings Limited Case number General Application No. 58/18 Applicable NYC Provisions IV | V Source http://www.cylaw.org (CyLaw website)
Languages Greek, Modern (1453-) Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=6698&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFChina / 16 April 2020 / China, 上海市第一中级人民法院 (Shanghai No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court) / 华联力宝医疗有限公司 (OUE Lippo Healthcare Limited) v. 林高坤 / (2019)沪01协外认5号之一
Country China Court China, 上海市第一中级人民法院 (Shanghai No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court) Date 16 April 2020 Parties 华联力宝医疗有限公司 (OUE Lippo Healthcare Limited) v. 林高坤 Case number (2019)沪01协外认5号之一 Applicable NYC Provisions I | IV | V Source http://wenshu.court.gov.cn (China Judgements Online)
Languages Chinese Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=6552&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFLithuania / 09 April 2020 / Lithuania, Lietuvos Apeliacinis Teismas (Court of Appeal of Lithuania) / AAB „Mogiliovoblavtotrans“ v. UAB „Seven Miles Logistics“ / 2T-33-381/2020
Country Lithuania Court Lithuania, Lietuvos Apeliacinis Teismas (Court of Appeal of Lithuania) Date 09 April 2020 Parties AAB „Mogiliovoblavtotrans“ v. UAB „Seven Miles Logistics“ Case number 2T-33-381/2020 Applicable NYC Provisions III | IV | IV(1) | V | V(1) | V(2) Source https://www.apeliacinis.lt (website of the Court of Appeal of Lithuania)
Languages Lithuanian Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=6012&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFUnited States / 06 April 2020 / United States, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit / OJSC Ukrnafta v. Carpatsky Petroleum Corporation / 19-20011
Country United States Court United States, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit Date 06 April 2020 Parties OJSC Ukrnafta v. Carpatsky Petroleum Corporation Case number 19-20011 Applicable NYC Provisions II | IV | V | V(1) | V(1)(a) | V(1)(b) | V(1)(c) | V(1)(d) | V(1)(e) | V(2)(b) Source online: PACER
Languages English affirms : Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=6314&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFLithuania / 02 April 2020 / Lithuania, Lietuvos Apeliacinis Teismas (Court of Appeal of Lithuania) / UAB „Samčio burtai“ v. UAB „Alsana“ / e2T-28-381/2020
Country Lithuania Court Lithuania, Lietuvos Apeliacinis Teismas (Court of Appeal of Lithuania) Date 02 April 2020 Parties UAB „Samčio burtai“ v. UAB „Alsana“ Case number e2T-28-381/2020 Applicable NYC Provisions III | IV | IV(1) | V | V(1) | V(2) Source https://www.apeliacinis.lt (website of the Court of Appeal of Lithuania)
Languages Lithuanian Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=6011&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFChina / 25 March 2020 / China, 辽宁省抚顺市中级人民法院 (Liaoning, Fushun Intermediate People’s Court) / (株)KSP (英文名称:KSP Co., Ltd.) v. 抚顺中兴重工有限公司 / (2020)辽04民再7号
Country China Court China, 辽宁省抚顺市中级人民法院 (Liaoning, Fushun Intermediate People’s Court) Date 25 March 2020 Parties (株)KSP (英文名称:KSP Co., Ltd.) v. 抚顺中兴重工有限公司 Case number (2020)辽04民再7号 Applicable NYC Provisions IV | V Source http://wenshu.court.gov.cn (China Judgements Online)
Languages Chinese Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=6551&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFChina / 16 March 2020 / China, 山东省烟台市中级人民法院 (Shandong, Yantai Intermediate People’s Court) / 皇家食品进口公司 (Royal Food Import Corp) v. 烟台洛克西进出口有限公司 / (2017)鲁06民初382号
Country China Court China, 山东省烟台市中级人民法院 (Shandong, Yantai Intermediate People’s Court) Date 16 March 2020 Parties 皇家食品进口公司 (Royal Food Import Corp) v. 烟台洛克西进出口有限公司 Case number (2017)鲁06民初382号 Applicable NYC Provisions IV | IV(1) | IV(1)(a) | IV(1)(b) | V | V(1) | V(1)(b) | V(1)(c) Source http://wenshu.court.gov.cn (China Judgements Online)
Languages Chinese Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=6550&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFChina / 02 March 2020 / China, 浙江省宁波市中级人民法院 (Zhejiang, Ningbo Intermediate People’s Court) / UNID国际商社 (UNID Global Corporation) v. 宁波保税区长荣国际贸易有限公司 / (2019)浙02协外认4号
Country China Court China, 浙江省宁波市中级人民法院 (Zhejiang, Ningbo Intermediate People’s Court) Date 02 March 2020 Parties UNID国际商社 (UNID Global Corporation) v. 宁波保税区长荣国际贸易有限公司 Case number (2019)浙02协外认4号 Applicable NYC Provisions IV | V | V(1) Source http://wenshu.court.gov.cn (China Judgements Online)
Languages Chinese Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=6549&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFUnited States / 21 February 2020 / United States, U.S. District Court, District of Maryland / Estate of Ke Zhengguang v. Yu Naifen Stephany / 18-3546-PWG
Country United States Court United States, U.S. District Court, District of Maryland Date 21 February 2020 Parties Estate of Ke Zhengguang v. Yu Naifen Stephany Case number 18-3546-PWG Applicable NYC Provisions III | IV | V | V(1) | V(2) | V(2)(b) | VI Source online: PACER
Languages English Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=5713&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFChina / 18 February 2020 / China, 厦门海事法院 (Xiamen Maritime Court) / 招商银行股份有限公司厦门分行 v. MK离岸私人有限公司 (MK Offshore Pte Ltd) / (2019)闽72民特1042号
Country China Court China, 厦门海事法院 (Xiamen Maritime Court) Date 18 February 2020 Parties 招商银行股份有限公司厦门分行 v. MK离岸私人有限公司 (MK Offshore Pte Ltd) Case number (2019)闽72民特1042号 Applicable NYC Provisions IV | V | V(1) | V(2) Source http://wenshu.court.gov.cn (China Judgements Online)
Languages Chinese Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=6548&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFChina / 17 February 2020 / China, 上海市第一中级人民法院 (Shanghai No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court) / 上海诺基亚贝尔股份有限公司 v. 乌兹特拉斯加斯股份有限公司 (Joint Stock Company Uztransgaz) / (2018)沪01协外认4号
Country China Court China, 上海市第一中级人民法院 (Shanghai No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court) Date 17 February 2020 Parties 上海诺基亚贝尔股份有限公司 v. 乌兹特拉斯加斯股份有限公司 (Joint Stock Company Uztransgaz) Case number (2018)沪01协外认4号 Applicable NYC Provisions I | IV | V | V(1) | V(2) Source http://wenshu.court.gov.cn (China Judgements Online)
Languages Chinese Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=6547&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
Original LanguageAdobe Acrobat PDFIndia / 13 February 2020 / India, Supreme Court / Vijay Karia & Ors. v. Prysmian Cavi e Sistemi S.r.l. & Ors. / Civil Appeals No. 1544 of 2020 and No. 1545 of 2020
Country India Court India, Supreme Court Date 13 February 2020 Parties Vijay Karia & Ors. v. Prysmian Cavi e Sistemi S.r.l. & Ors. Case number Civil Appeals No. 1544 of 2020 and No. 1545 of 2020 Applicable NYC Provisions I | II | III | IV | V | V(1) | V(1)(a) | V(1)(b) | V(1)(e) | V(2) | V(2)(b) | VII | VII(1) Source https://www.sci.gov.in (website of the Supreme Court of India)
Languages English Summary Summary prepared by Ishita Mishra (Advocate, Supreme Court of India | Chambers of Mr. Gourab Banerji)
A sole arbitrator had passed four arbitral awards (Awards) in a London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) arbitration. The context of the dispute was a joint venture dispute between the Appellants and the Respondents. The Respondents had initiated arbitration proceedings against the Appellants for materially breaching various provisions of the joint venture agreement (JVA) and in particular, for loss of effective control over ‘Ravin’, the joint venture company. In response to these allegations, the Appellants filed a set of counter claims which alleged that the Respondents had violated their non-compete obligations by acquiring a competing business in India through their indirect acquisition of ACPL (which was Ravin’s competitor), breached confidentiality and interfered in the management of Ravin among others. The parties agreed that on account of the alleged material breaches, the party successful in this arbitration would be entitled to buy out the other at a 10% premium / discount under the JVA.
Through the first partial final award, the tribunal had interpreted certain provisions of the JVA and concluded that the Appellants had not succeeded in their primary submission that the conclusion of contracts of sales in India by the Respondent through a company other than Ravin was contrary to the JVA. In the second award, the tribunal dismissed the Appellant’s counter claims and observed that the Appellants had committed several breaches of the JVA. Counter claims of interference in management and mismanagement, breach of confidentiality and violation of non-compete obligations under the JVA were dismissed. The tribunal observed that the Appellant was always aware of Prysmian SA’s acquisition of the Draka group which would result in its acquisition of its subsidiary ACPL and yet had never objected to the same.
Prior to the passing of the third partial award, the Appellants challenged the appointment of the arbitrator on the ground of alleged lack of impartiality or independence. This challenge was dismissed by the LCIA Court as it had been made out of time as per the LCIA Rules. Through the final award, the shares to be transferred by the Appellants to the Respondents were valued. No challenge was made by the Appellants to this award under the (English) Arbitration Act, 1996 in the seat court (Courts of London, United Kingdom). An appeal was only filed by Shri Vijay Karia when an enforcement petition was filed under Section 48 of the Indian Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (1996 Act) at the Bombay High Court. Through his judgment, Justice A.K Menon held these 4 arbitral awards to be enforceable. The Bombay High Court enforced the arbitral awards as it found that none of the allegations raised by the Appellants met the conditions under Section 48 for a successful challenge such as that of an invalid arbitration agreement, violation of principles of natural justice, award going beyond the scope of arbitration, non-arbitrable subject matter and violation of the fundamental policy of India among others. The Appellants, unhappy with the Bombay High Court’s determination, impugned this judgment before the Supreme Court of India.
The Supreme Court when deciding on this appeal, first examined the scope of Section 48 of the 1996 Act. By citing precedent from the US Court of Appeals, Second Circuit in Parsons & Whittemore Overseas Co. v. Societe Generale De L’Industrie Du Papier 508 F.2d 969 (1974) and US District Court, District of Colombia in Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinee v. Hammermills Inc. (1992) WL 122712, US Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in Karaha Codas Co., L.L.C v. Perusahaan Pertambagan Minyak 364 F.3d 274 (2004) among others observed that there was prevalence of a “pro-enforcement bias” under the NYC which was adopted by India within its legislature through Section 48 of the 1996 Act.
The Supreme Court further elaborated on the narrow review powers available to a ‘court’ under Section 48 of the 1996 Act. The Court approvingly cited provisions from its judgments in Renusagar Power Plant Co Ltd v. General Electric (1994 Supp (1) SCC 644) and Ssangyong Engineering & Construction Limited v. NHAI (2019 SCC OnLine SC 677) which observed that a foreign award being enforced under the NYC may not be examined by a review court on the basis of merits. The Court also referred to its judgment in Shri Lal Mahal v. Progetto Grando SPA (2014 2 SCC 433) and reiterated that Section 48(2)(b) of the 1996 Act contemplated a narrower review under the ground of “fundamental policy of Indian law”. The Court signaled towards the same being a part of the legislative intent by noting that Section 48 had been amended in 2015 to delete the ground of “contrary to the interest of India.”
The Supreme Court then considered the issue of whether a court could still enforce a foreign award even if some grounds under Section 48 of the 1996 Act were made out. This argument relied on the usage of the word “may” in Section 48 of the 1996 Act instead of ‘shall.’ The Court first discussed the legislative intent behind use of the word “may” in Article V NYC by endorsing the view that Articles V(1) and V(2) use permissive and not mandatory language. The Court then noted that the grounds under Section 48 could be classified into three groups i.e. “…grounds which affect the jurisdiction of the arbitration proceedings, grounds which affect the party interest alone; and grounds which go to the public policy of India…” and held that courts could not have any discretion if grounds affecting the public policy of India were made, but if grounds affecting party interest alone were made out, then the enforcing court will have the residual discretion when it came to enforcement of such awards. Consequently, the Supreme Court held that the word “may” in Section 48 of the 1996 Act could be interpreted as ‘shall’ depending on the context.
The Supreme Court also reviewed the Appellants’ challenge to the awards on the basis of violation of the principles of natural justice under Section 48(1)(b) of the 1996 Act. The Appellants’ had alleged that the principle of audi alteram partem was not followed as the Appellants had been unable to present their case on account of wilful failure on part of the Respondents to produce documents and the tribunal having not drawn a negative inference from the same. While deciding on this aspect, the Court referred to its judgment in Sohan Lal Gupta v. Asha Devi Gupta (2003 7 SCC 492) and the Delhi High Court’s judgment in Glencore International AG v. Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited (2017 SCC Online Del 8932). In Glencore International (supra), the Delhi High Court had observed that Section 48(1)(b) of the 1996 Act was pari materia to Article V(1)(b) NYC and hence a clear case of falling foul of the minimal standards of due process / natural justice needed to be established under Section 48(1)(b) of the 1996 Act to warrant a refusal of enforcement. The Supreme Court held that the phrase “was otherwise unable to present his case” should be interpreted narrowly and would be breached only if a fair hearing was not given by the tribunal to the parties. Poor reasoning by a tribunal would not meet the threshold under Section 48(1)(b) of the 1996 Act. The Court held that a failure of a tribunal in examining a material issue would not be sufficient for a challenge under Section 48(1)(b) of the 1996 Act unless such a failure went to the root of the matter and shocked the conscience of a court. The Court reiterated that a pro-enforcement undercurrent must feature in a review even under Section 48(1)(b) of the 1996 Act and that if an award addresses basic issues raised by the parties and in substance, decides on the claims and counter claims, then “enforcement must follow”.
The final issue before the Supreme Court was whether these awards violated India’s foreign exchange laws, and in particular, the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA). The award directed a sale of shares at a discount to a foreign party (the Respondents). The Supreme Court held that the award did not violate India’s public policy. The Court traced the history of India’s foreign exchange laws from ‘policing to management’ and approved the Delhi High Court’s judgment in Cruz City 1 Mauritius Holdings v. Unitech Limited (2017 239 DLT 649; in this case, the Delhi High Court had held that an application to resist enforcement of a foreign award on the basis of public policy grounds will only succeed if the objections are of such a nature that they offend the core values of India’s national policy “which it cannot be expected to compromise”, and that a mere inconsistency with a regulation like the FEMA, did not automatically meet this test). The Court noted that Section 47 of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1973 (FERA) which held transactions that violated the FERA as void did not find place within the FEMA and held that a rectifiable breach under the FEMA could not amount to a violation of the fundamental policy of Indian law.
After noting the legislative and judicial history of Section 48 of the 1996 Act, the Supreme Court observed that the pleas taken by the Appellants forayed into a review of the awards on the basis of merits, and that the same is not permitted under Section 48 of the 1996 Act read with the NYC. The Supreme Court noted that the Appellants in the present case appeared to be indulging in “…speculative litigation with the fond hope that by flinging mud on a foreign arbitral award, some of the mud so flung would stick.”. The Supreme Court after perusing the court records, rejected all of the grounds raised, dismissed the appeal of Shri Vijay Karia and imposed costs on the Appellants of Rs. 5,000,000 (Indian Rupees Five Million) for attempting to argue this matter as a first appeal despite being aware of the limited scope of review available under Section 48 of the 1996 Act.
affirms : Link to the record https://newyorkconvention1958.org/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=5809&opac_view=2 Attachment (1)
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