Latest News From Global Arbitration Review

Kaplan returns to Hong Kong as adviser to Australian firm

Global Arbitration Review — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:11:15 GMT

Neil Kaplan QC has joined Australian firm Mallesons Stephen Jaques as an international arbitration adviser in Hong Kong, a role he says will be largely “in-house and strategic” and which will result in him spending even more time in Asia.

Canadian Supreme court accepts case about applicability of clause

Global Arbitration Review — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:09:48 GMT

Canada's highest court has agreed to give a ruling on the meaning of "void, inoperative or incapable of being performed" in the context of an arbitration clause dispute between a phone company and a consumer who wants to begin a class action, in a case that, though domestic, will gain wider relevance because of the wording of the statute.

Q&A: is Romania a good seat for arbitration?

Global Arbitration Review — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:09:44 GMT

It has been 20 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall and since then, former Soviet satellite state Romania has moved away from its communist past and implemented, what some say is, a modern international arbitration system to entice foreign investors. But would you seat a case there?

Foreign clients begin accepting waiver of rights in Venezuela

Global Arbitration Review — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:00:08 GMT

With Chevron announcing that it is preparing to invest in a multibillion-dollar oil-drilling project in Venezuela, lawyers in the country say some international clients have shown willingness to take on its political challenges to take a share in its natural resources.

Australia implements first part of longer term plan

Global Arbitration Review — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:59:30 GMT

Those seeking court support for an international arbitration in Australia, or who are enforcing a foreign award, can now go straight to the federal court rather than having to make multiple visits to different state courts, after a new bill centralised jurisdiction.

Blood plasma company fails to remove chairman over party membership

Global Arbitration Review — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:56:55 GMT

A Liechtenstein company that says the chair of a panel hearing its dispute with the Czech Republic cannot be impartial as he is a member of the country’s ruling party, has failed in its attempt to remove him.

Singapore Court rejects argument that old SIAC rules govern proceedings

Global Arbitration Review — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:54:42 GMT

A Singapore court has clarified which rules apply in an arbitration clause referring to “for the time being in force” - in a dispute between two sides over which SIAC rules should govern proceedings.

Lat Am arbitration to survive despite political threat

Global Arbitration Review — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:54:28 GMT

Latin America is “definitively not” near the beginning of the end of arbitration, Fernando Peláez-Pier, a partner with Venezuela’s Hoet Peláez Castillo & Duque, told the ICC Latin American arbitration conference in Miami last week.

School of International Arbitration unveils focus of next survey - and new research fellow

Global Arbitration Review — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:53:10 GMT

The School of International Arbitration at Queen Mary, University of London, has finalised the subject of its next survey and appointed a White & Case research fellow to lead the project.

UK government told public interest not enough to avoid arbitration

Global Arbitration Review — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:02:08 GMT

“Public interest” is not reason enough to avoid arbitration, a court has told the UK government, in a dispute about a train franchise agreement containing seven arbitration clauses.

Swedish lawyer sets up shop alone

Global Arbitration Review — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:54:00 GMT

In what is becoming an increasing trend, a Swedish arbitration specialist has left a corporate firm to found his own boutique practice aimed at arbitration work, saying given the size of Sweden, conflicts make such a practice hard to pursue at a larger firms.

Minerals mining company accused of illegal exports files against the Gambia under ICSID rules

Global Arbitration Review — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:44:25 GMT

A mining company that was accused of exporting minerals illegally from the Gambia and whose local manager escaped from house arrest and fled across the border, has filed for arbitration against the state under ICSID rules, claiming unfair expropriation and breach of contract.