Court Decisions

The court decisions available on this website interpret and apply the New York Convention. These court decisions are in most cases published in the Yearbook Commercial Arbitration since its Volume I (1976). 

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The court decisions available on this website interpret and apply the New York Convention.

  1. Most decisions are reported in the Yearbook Commercial Arbitration, published by ICCA since 1976, and are numbered as in the Yearbook (e.g., US no. 954).

  2. Other decisions are indicated by country, date, and a short name (e.g., UK 18 June 2020 Alexander Brothers).

Court decisions can be searched by country and by topic.

Court Decisions

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  • Excerpt Topics
    UNITED STATES 27 January 2025 Baker Hugues

    United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, 27 January 2025

    (Baker Hugues Saudi Arabia Company Limited v. Dynamic Industries, Incorporated, et al.)

    220

    The court discusses how to interpret the Convention’s requirement that the agreement is not null and void etc., as well as specific cases of invalidity: e.g., lack of consent (misrepresentation, duress, or fraud), vague wording of the arbitral clause; other terms of the contract contradict the intention to arbitrate, etc.

     "Null and void", etc.
  • Excerpt Topics
    UNITED STATES 18 August 2023 Evergreen Associates

    United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, 18 August 2023, CIVIL ACTION NO. 23-1689 SECTION: “E” (1)

    (Evergreen Associates, Inc. Evergreen Lions Club v. Independent Specialty Insurance Company And Certain Underwriters At Lloyd’s London Subscribing To Binding Authority UMR B604510568622021)

    214-216 Field of application
    220

    The court discusses how to interpret the Convention’s requirement that the agreement is not null and void etc., as well as specific cases of invalidity: e.g., lack of consent (misrepresentation, duress, or fraud), vague wording of the arbitral clause; other terms of the contract contradict the intention to arbitrate, etc.

     "Null and void", etc.
    UNITED STATES 1069

    United States District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, Newport News Division, 15 August 2023, Case No. 4:23cv56

    (Keller North America, Inc. and Hampton Roads Connector Partners v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s OP London and SCOR UK Company Limited)

    214-216 Field of application
    217

    The court discusses the meaning and effect of the referral of the resolution of disputes to arbitration, including: who can ask for referral and when, whether a party has waived its right to request arbitration, the defense that there was no contract at all; whether there was a condition precedent to the commencement of arbitration (e.g. mediation), stay of proceedings v. compelling arbitration, and national procedural specificities such as remand and removal (US), effect of class action. etc.

     Referral to arbitration in general
    220

    The court discusses how to interpret the Convention’s requirement that the agreement is not null and void etc., as well as specific cases of invalidity: e.g., lack of consent (misrepresentation, duress, or fraud), vague wording of the arbitral clause; other terms of the contract contradict the intention to arbitrate, etc.

     "Null and void", etc.
    223

    The court discusses whether a certain dispute could be settled by arbitration, and the law applicable to that determination.

     Arbitrability (see also Art. V(2) sub ground a. "arbitrability", ¶519)
    UNITED STATES 13 February 2023 Phoenix East II

    United States District Court, Southern District of Alabama, Southern Division, 13 February 2023, CIVIL ACTION NO. 22-00436-CG-N

    (Phoenix East II Association, Inc. v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s, et al.)

    214-216 Field of application
    220

    The court discusses how to interpret the Convention’s requirement that the agreement is not null and void etc., as well as specific cases of invalidity: e.g., lack of consent (misrepresentation, duress, or fraud), vague wording of the arbitral clause; other terms of the contract contradict the intention to arbitrate, etc.

     "Null and void", etc.
    UNITED STATES 25 January 2023 Olsen Securities

    United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, 25 January 2023, CIVIL ACTION NO. 22-3120 SECTION: "G"(1)

    (Olsen Securities Corp., et al. v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s London, et al.)

     

    214-216 Field of application
    220

    The court discusses how to interpret the Convention’s requirement that the agreement is not null and void etc., as well as specific cases of invalidity: e.g., lack of consent (misrepresentation, duress, or fraud), vague wording of the arbitral clause; other terms of the contract contradict the intention to arbitrate, etc.

     "Null and void", etc.
    UNITED STATES 18 January 2023 Academy of the Sacred Heart

    United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, 18 January 2023, CIVIL ACTION NO. 22-4401 SECTION I(Academy of the Sacred Heart of New Orleans v. Certain Underwriters At Lloyd’s London, et al.)

    214-216 Field of application
    220

    The court discusses how to interpret the Convention’s requirement that the agreement is not null and void etc., as well as specific cases of invalidity: e.g., lack of consent (misrepresentation, duress, or fraud), vague wording of the arbitral clause; other terms of the contract contradict the intention to arbitrate, etc.

     "Null and void", etc.
    UNITED STATES 1062

    United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, 17 January 2023, 2:22-cv-01013-NJB-MBN

    (Kronlage Family Limited Partnership v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s and other Insurers Subscribing to Binding Authority Number B604510568622021, and Independent Specialty Insurance Co. (ISIC))

    214-216 Field of application
    217

    The court discusses the meaning and effect of the referral of the resolution of disputes to arbitration, including: who can ask for referral and when, whether a party has waived its right to request arbitration, the defense that there was no contract at all; whether there was a condition precedent to the commencement of arbitration (e.g. mediation), stay of proceedings v. compelling arbitration, and national procedural specificities such as remand and removal (US), effect of class action. etc.

     Referral to arbitration in general
    220

    The court discusses how to interpret the Convention’s requirement that the agreement is not null and void etc., as well as specific cases of invalidity: e.g., lack of consent (misrepresentation, duress, or fraud), vague wording of the arbitral clause; other terms of the contract contradict the intention to arbitrate, etc.

     "Null and void", etc.
    221

    The court discusses which law – lex fori, lex contractus, law of the State where the award will be made – applies specifically to determining whether an agreement to arbitrate is “null and void etc.“, and, by extension, which law applies to determining the validity of arbitration agreements.

     Law applicable to "Null and void", etc. (for formal validity and applicable law, see Art. II, ¶204)
    226

    Multi-party disputes: The court discusses under which conditions non-signatories are covered by an arbitration agreement entered into by another party.

     Third parties (see also Art. I sub F "problems concerning the identity of the respondent", ¶106)
  • Excerpt Topics
    MALAYSIA 9

    Court of Appeal, Putrajaya, 24 May 2023, case nos. W-02(IM)(NCC)-2002-10 of 2021;W-02(IM)(NCC)-2003-10 of 2021;W-02(IM)(NCC)-2004-10 of 2021

    (Macsteel International Far East Limited v. Lysaght Corrugated Pipe Sdn Bhd and Lysaght Galvanized Steel Bhd) 

    220

    The court discusses how to interpret the Convention’s requirement that the agreement is not null and void etc., as well as specific cases of invalidity: e.g., lack of consent (misrepresentation, duress, or fraud), vague wording of the arbitral clause; other terms of the contract contradict the intention to arbitrate, etc.

     "Null and void", etc.
  • Excerpt Topics
    CHINA PR 52

    First Intermediate People’s Court, Shanghai, 29 June 2022, (2020) Hu 0104 Min Zhong No. 3346

    (Dragan Kokotovic v. Shanghai Ju Sports Football Club Co., Ltd.) 

     

    110

    The court discusses the definition of “arbitral award”, and the application of the Convention to the various types of award, including awards on specific performance, awards enjoining a party from certain conduct, declaratory awards, etc. Also, whether preliminary, partial, interim, interlocutory awards, and awards by consent can be enforced under the Convention.

     Arbitral award: types
    111

    The court discusses the application of the Convention to awards rendered by permanent arbitral bodies (as opposed to ad hoc awards).

    Permanent arbitral bodies (paragraph 2)
    220

    The court discusses how to interpret the Convention’s requirement that the agreement is not null and void etc., as well as specific cases of invalidity: e.g., lack of consent (misrepresentation, duress, or fraud), vague wording of the arbitral clause; other terms of the contract contradict the intention to arbitrate, etc.

     "Null and void", etc.
    221

    The court discusses which law – lex fori, lex contractus, law of the State where the award will be made – applies specifically to determining whether an agreement to arbitrate is “null and void etc.“, and, by extension, which law applies to determining the validity of arbitration agreements.

     Law applicable to "Null and void", etc. (for formal validity and applicable law, see Art. II, ¶204)
  • Excerpt Topics
    AUSTRALIA 55

    Supreme Court, New South Wales, Equity – Commercial List, 29 April 2022, File Number 2022/55988

    (WCX M4-M5 Link AT Pty Ltd in its personal capacity and in its capacity as trustee of the WCX M4-M5 Link Asset Trust et al. v. Acciona Infrastructure Projects Australia Pty Ltd et al.)

    217

    The court discusses the meaning and effect of the referral of the resolution of disputes to arbitration, including: who can ask for referral and when, whether a party has waived its right to request arbitration, the defense that there was no contract at all; whether there was a condition precedent to the commencement of arbitration (e.g. mediation), stay of proceedings v. compelling arbitration, and national procedural specificities such as remand and removal (US), effect of class action. etc.

     Referral to arbitration in general
    220

    The court discusses how to interpret the Convention’s requirement that the agreement is not null and void etc., as well as specific cases of invalidity: e.g., lack of consent (misrepresentation, duress, or fraud), vague wording of the arbitral clause; other terms of the contract contradict the intention to arbitrate, etc.

     "Null and void", etc.
  • Excerpt Topics
    SEYCHELLES 4

    Court of Appeals of Seychelles, 29 April 2022 (Appeal from MA 101/2019 - Arising in CC 02/2019)

    (Eastern European Engineering Ltd v. SJ (Seychelles) Ltd)

    220

    The court discusses how to interpret the Convention’s requirement that the agreement is not null and void etc., as well as specific cases of invalidity: e.g., lack of consent (misrepresentation, duress, or fraud), vague wording of the arbitral clause; other terms of the contract contradict the intention to arbitrate, etc.

     "Null and void", etc.
  • Excerpt Topics
    ITALY 203

    Corte d’Appello, Bologna, Second Civil Chamber, 8 April 2022, Case No. 1781/2014

    (A.F.M. s.r.l. in liquidazione e concordato preventivo v. Swisslog Malaysia SDN BHD)

    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)
    201

    The court discusses whether the dispute falls within the wording of the arbitration agreement; and whether claims in tort fall within the scope of the agreement.

     Scope of arbitration agreement
    202

    The court discusses the form in which the arbitration agreement is expressed: short form arbitration clause, reference to rules of institution, etc.

     Contents of arbitration agreement
    209 Incorporation by reference and standard conditions
    220

    The court discusses how to interpret the Convention’s requirement that the agreement is not null and void etc., as well as specific cases of invalidity: e.g., lack of consent (misrepresentation, duress, or fraud), vague wording of the arbitral clause; other terms of the contract contradict the intention to arbitrate, etc.

     "Null and void", etc.
    222

    The court discusses the principle of competence-competence, including whether the parties “intended to have arbitrability decided by an arbitrator”, and the separability of the arbitration agreement from the main contract.

     Arbitrator's competence and separability of the arbitration clause
  • Excerpt Topics
    UNITED STATES 18 February 2021 Thamalassen Sungaralingum

    United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, 18 February 2021, Case No. 20-24829-CIV-COOKE/O'SULLIVAN

    (Thamalassen Sungaralingum v. Carnival Corporation and Heinemann American Cruise Retail, LLC)

    217

    The court discusses the meaning and effect of the referral of the resolution of disputes to arbitration, including: who can ask for referral and when, whether a party has waived its right to request arbitration, the defense that there was no contract at all; whether there was a condition precedent to the commencement of arbitration (e.g. mediation), stay of proceedings v. compelling arbitration, and national procedural specificities such as remand and removal (US), effect of class action. etc.

     Referral to arbitration in general
    220

    The court discusses how to interpret the Convention’s requirement that the agreement is not null and void etc., as well as specific cases of invalidity: e.g., lack of consent (misrepresentation, duress, or fraud), vague wording of the arbitral clause; other terms of the contract contradict the intention to arbitrate, etc.

     "Null and void", etc.
    UNITED STATES 2 February 2021 Georgetown Home Owners Association

    United States District Court, Middle District of Louisiana, 2 February 2021, CIVIL ACTION NO. 20-102-JWD-SDJ
    (Georgetown Home Owners Association, Inc. v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's, London, Severally Subscribing to Policy Number AMR-60507, et al.)

    201

    The court discusses whether the dispute falls within the wording of the arbitration agreement; and whether claims in tort fall within the scope of the agreement.

     Scope of arbitration agreement
    217

    The court discusses the meaning and effect of the referral of the resolution of disputes to arbitration, including: who can ask for referral and when, whether a party has waived its right to request arbitration, the defense that there was no contract at all; whether there was a condition precedent to the commencement of arbitration (e.g. mediation), stay of proceedings v. compelling arbitration, and national procedural specificities such as remand and removal (US), effect of class action. etc.

     Referral to arbitration in general
    220

    The court discusses how to interpret the Convention’s requirement that the agreement is not null and void etc., as well as specific cases of invalidity: e.g., lack of consent (misrepresentation, duress, or fraud), vague wording of the arbitral clause; other terms of the contract contradict the intention to arbitrate, etc.

     "Null and void", etc.
  • Excerpt Topics
    UNITED STATES 21 December 2020 Sergiy Gumenyuk

    United States District Court, Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, 21 December 2020, CIVIL ACTION NO. H-20-00285

    (Sergiy Gumenyuk v. Marlow Navigation Company, Ltd, et al.)

    217

    The court discusses the meaning and effect of the referral of the resolution of disputes to arbitration, including: who can ask for referral and when, whether a party has waived its right to request arbitration, the defense that there was no contract at all; whether there was a condition precedent to the commencement of arbitration (e.g. mediation), stay of proceedings v. compelling arbitration, and national procedural specificities such as remand and removal (US), effect of class action. etc.

     Referral to arbitration in general
    220

    The court discusses how to interpret the Convention’s requirement that the agreement is not null and void etc., as well as specific cases of invalidity: e.g., lack of consent (misrepresentation, duress, or fraud), vague wording of the arbitral clause; other terms of the contract contradict the intention to arbitrate, etc.

     "Null and void", etc.
    UNITED STATES 14 December 2020 1010 Common

    United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, 14 December 2020, CIVIL ACTION NO. 20-2326 SECTION "B"(5)

    (1010 Common, LLC v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's, London)

    217

    The court discusses the meaning and effect of the referral of the resolution of disputes to arbitration, including: who can ask for referral and when, whether a party has waived its right to request arbitration, the defense that there was no contract at all; whether there was a condition precedent to the commencement of arbitration (e.g. mediation), stay of proceedings v. compelling arbitration, and national procedural specificities such as remand and removal (US), effect of class action. etc.

     Referral to arbitration in general
    220

    The court discusses how to interpret the Convention’s requirement that the agreement is not null and void etc., as well as specific cases of invalidity: e.g., lack of consent (misrepresentation, duress, or fraud), vague wording of the arbitral clause; other terms of the contract contradict the intention to arbitrate, etc.

     "Null and void", etc.
    222

    The court discusses the principle of competence-competence, including whether the parties “intended to have arbitrability decided by an arbitrator”, and the separability of the arbitration agreement from the main contract.

     Arbitrator's competence and separability of the arbitration clause
    UNITED STATES 1013

    United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, 23 October 2020, Case No. 20-cv-23715-BLOOM/Louis
    (Fnu Isanto, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Fnu Pujiyoko, deceased v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.)

    217

    The court discusses the meaning and effect of the referral of the resolution of disputes to arbitration, including: who can ask for referral and when, whether a party has waived its right to request arbitration, the defense that there was no contract at all; whether there was a condition precedent to the commencement of arbitration (e.g. mediation), stay of proceedings v. compelling arbitration, and national procedural specificities such as remand and removal (US), effect of class action. etc.

     Referral to arbitration in general
    220

    The court discusses how to interpret the Convention’s requirement that the agreement is not null and void etc., as well as specific cases of invalidity: e.g., lack of consent (misrepresentation, duress, or fraud), vague wording of the arbitral clause; other terms of the contract contradict the intention to arbitrate, etc.

     "Null and void", etc.
    UNITED STATES 22 October 2020 Montana Association

    United States District Court, District of Montana, Missoula Division, 22 October 2020, CV 19-196-M-DLC
    (Montana Association of Counties Property and Casualty Trust v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyds)

    217

    The court discusses the meaning and effect of the referral of the resolution of disputes to arbitration, including: who can ask for referral and when, whether a party has waived its right to request arbitration, the defense that there was no contract at all; whether there was a condition precedent to the commencement of arbitration (e.g. mediation), stay of proceedings v. compelling arbitration, and national procedural specificities such as remand and removal (US), effect of class action. etc.

     Referral to arbitration in general
    220

    The court discusses how to interpret the Convention’s requirement that the agreement is not null and void etc., as well as specific cases of invalidity: e.g., lack of consent (misrepresentation, duress, or fraud), vague wording of the arbitral clause; other terms of the contract contradict the intention to arbitrate, etc.

     "Null and void", etc.
    UNITED STATES 22 October 2020 Ramesh Cheruvoth

    United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, 22 October 2020, CASE NO. 1:19-cv-24416-GAYLES/OTAZO-REYES
    (Ramesh Cheruvoth v. Seadream Yacht Club, Inc. et al.)

    217

    The court discusses the meaning and effect of the referral of the resolution of disputes to arbitration, including: who can ask for referral and when, whether a party has waived its right to request arbitration, the defense that there was no contract at all; whether there was a condition precedent to the commencement of arbitration (e.g. mediation), stay of proceedings v. compelling arbitration, and national procedural specificities such as remand and removal (US), effect of class action. etc.

     Referral to arbitration in general
    220

    The court discusses how to interpret the Convention’s requirement that the agreement is not null and void etc., as well as specific cases of invalidity: e.g., lack of consent (misrepresentation, duress, or fraud), vague wording of the arbitral clause; other terms of the contract contradict the intention to arbitrate, etc.

     "Null and void", etc.
    UNITED STATES 1012

    United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, 7 October 2020, CASE NO.: 1:20-22133-CIV-MARTINEZ
    (Ryan Maunes Maglana et al. v. Celebrity Cruises Inc.)

    217

    The court discusses the meaning and effect of the referral of the resolution of disputes to arbitration, including: who can ask for referral and when, whether a party has waived its right to request arbitration, the defense that there was no contract at all; whether there was a condition precedent to the commencement of arbitration (e.g. mediation), stay of proceedings v. compelling arbitration, and national procedural specificities such as remand and removal (US), effect of class action. etc.

     Referral to arbitration in general
    220

    The court discusses how to interpret the Convention’s requirement that the agreement is not null and void etc., as well as specific cases of invalidity: e.g., lack of consent (misrepresentation, duress, or fraud), vague wording of the arbitral clause; other terms of the contract contradict the intention to arbitrate, etc.

     "Null and void", etc.
    UNITED STATES 29 September 2020 Woodward Design

    United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, 29 September 2020, CIVIL ACTION NO: 19-14017 SECTION: T(3)

    (Woodward Design + Build, LLC v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's London, et al.)

    217

    The court discusses the meaning and effect of the referral of the resolution of disputes to arbitration, including: who can ask for referral and when, whether a party has waived its right to request arbitration, the defense that there was no contract at all; whether there was a condition precedent to the commencement of arbitration (e.g. mediation), stay of proceedings v. compelling arbitration, and national procedural specificities such as remand and removal (US), effect of class action. etc.

     Referral to arbitration in general
    220

    The court discusses how to interpret the Convention’s requirement that the agreement is not null and void etc., as well as specific cases of invalidity: e.g., lack of consent (misrepresentation, duress, or fraud), vague wording of the arbitral clause; other terms of the contract contradict the intention to arbitrate, etc.

     "Null and void", etc.
    UNITED STATES 1009 B

    United States District Court, Southern District of New York, 3 September 2020

    (SSI (Beijing) Company Ltd. v. Prosper Business Development Corporation)

    220

    The court discusses how to interpret the Convention’s requirement that the agreement is not null and void etc., as well as specific cases of invalidity: e.g., lack of consent (misrepresentation, duress, or fraud), vague wording of the arbitral clause; other terms of the contract contradict the intention to arbitrate, etc.

     "Null and void", etc.
    UNITED STATES 1009 A

    United States District Court, Southern District of New York, 30 July 2020

    (SSI (Beijing) Company Ltd. v. Prosper Business Development Corporation)

    220

    The court discusses how to interpret the Convention’s requirement that the agreement is not null and void etc., as well as specific cases of invalidity: e.g., lack of consent (misrepresentation, duress, or fraud), vague wording of the arbitral clause; other terms of the contract contradict the intention to arbitrate, etc.

     "Null and void", etc.
    221

    The court discusses which law – lex fori, lex contractus, law of the State where the award will be made – applies specifically to determining whether an agreement to arbitrate is “null and void etc.“, and, by extension, which law applies to determining the validity of arbitration agreements.

     Law applicable to "Null and void", etc. (for formal validity and applicable law, see Art. II, ¶204)
    UNITED STATES 1005

    United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, 
8 June 2020
    (Denver Global Products, Inc. v. Roger Leon et al.)

    207

    The court discusses what more recent means of communication are also covered by the “exchange of letters or telegrams” alternative: telefax, email, e-commerce, etc.

     Means of communication for achieving the exchange in writing
    215 Agreement providing for arbitration within forum's State
    218

    The court discusses whether referral of the resolution of disputes to arbitration is mandatory under the Convention and whether mandatory referral is an internationally uniform rule which supersedes municipal law.

     Referral is mandatory
    220

    The court discusses how to interpret the Convention’s requirement that the agreement is not null and void etc., as well as specific cases of invalidity: e.g., lack of consent (misrepresentation, duress, or fraud), vague wording of the arbitral clause; other terms of the contract contradict the intention to arbitrate, etc.

     "Null and void", etc.
    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
    518

    Public policy: The court discusses the meaning of (international as compared to domestic) public policy, generally defined as the basic notions of morality and justice of the enforcement State.

    Paragraph 2 - Distinction domestic-international public policy
    UNITED STATES 29 May 2020 Gasmer Management

    United States District Court, Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, 29 May 2020, CIVIL ACTION NO. 19-cv-00974

    (5556 Gasmer Mgmt. LLC v. Underwriters at Lloyd’s, London)

    220

    The court discusses how to interpret the Convention’s requirement that the agreement is not null and void etc., as well as specific cases of invalidity: e.g., lack of consent (misrepresentation, duress, or fraud), vague wording of the arbitral clause; other terms of the contract contradict the intention to arbitrate, etc.

     "Null and void", etc.
    226

    Multi-party disputes: The court discusses under which conditions non-signatories are covered by an arbitration agreement entered into by another party.

     Third parties (see also Art. I sub F "problems concerning the identity of the respondent", ¶106)