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Bundesgericht, Second Civil Chamber, 12 October 2023, 5A_739/2022

(A v. B GmbH)

12 - 10 - 2023

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Yearbook Yearbook Commercial Arbitration, S. W. Schill (ed.), Vol. XLIX (2024)
Jurisdiction Switzerland
Summary

The Federal Supreme Court confirmed the appellate decision refusing to attach assets of the respondent under a Russian award, finding that the lower court had correctly held that the respondent, though jointly and severally ordered to pay damages in the award, had not been bound by the settlement agreement containing the arbitration clause, which the claimant had concluded with other companies of the respondent’s group. The Court pointed out that while the lower courts had framed the defense of lack of arbitral jurisdiction ratione personae under Art. V(1)(a) of the New York Convention – lack of a valid arbitration agreement – theCourt itself generally considered issues of the subjective scope of arbitration agreements to be falling under Art. V(1)(c).

Related topics
101

The court discusses the determination and relevance of the place where the award was made (in a foreign State or another contracting State.

Award made in the territory of another (Contracting) State (paragraphs 1 and 3 - first or "reciprocity" reservation)
301

The court discusses the principle that the procedure for the enforcement of awards under the Convention is governed by the lex fori, as well as procedural issues (such as the competent enforcement court) not falling under the specific cases of ¶¶ 302-307.

Procedure for enforcement in general
500

The court discusses the overall scheme and/or pro-enforcement bias of the Convention.

Grounds for refusal of enforcement in general
502

The court discusses the principle that the merits of the award may not be reviewed and that the court may only carry out a limited review of the award to ascertain grounds for refusal.

No re-examination of the merits of the arbitral award
503

The court discusses the burden of proof of the grounds for refusing enforcement under the Convention.

Burden of proof on respondent
512 Ground c: Excess by arbitrator of his authority - Excess of authority
701

More-favorable right provision: The court discusses issues relating to the more-favorable right provision in general, including who may invoke it, and when.

More-favourable-right provision in general
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