Lungowe v Vedanta Resources plc

Subject Matter

CONFLICT OF LAWS — Jurisdiction under European Union Regulation — Forum non conveniens — Claimants’ claims against defendants domiciled in United Kingdom and Zambia respectively — English courts having jursidiction under Regulation in respect of United Kingdom defendant — Whether courts having discretion to decline jurisdiction in favour of Zambian courts — Parliament and Council Regulation (EU) No 1215/2012, art 4

[2017] EWCA Civ 1528; [2018] 1 WLR 3575; [2017] WLR(D) 741, CA

[2019] UKSC 20; [2020] AC 1045; [2019] 2 WLR 1051; [2019] 3 All ER 1013; [2019] 2 All ER (Comm) 559; [2019] 2 Lloyd's Rep 399; [2019] WLR (D) 241; Case details, SC(E)

PRACTICE — Claim form — Service out of jurisdiction — Claimants’ claims against defendants domiciled in United Kingdom and Zambia respectively — Claimants granted permission to serve claim form on Zambian defendant out of jurisdiction — Whether “real issue” between claimants and United Kingdom defendant to which Zambian defendant necessary and proper party — Proper approach where issue of law in underlying litigation fundamental to court’s jurisdiction — CPR r 6.36, Practice Direction 6B, para 3.1

[2017] EWCA Civ 1528; [2018] 1 WLR 3575; [2017] WLR(D) 741, CA

PRACTICE — Claim form — Service out of jurisdiction — Claimants’ claims against defendants domiciled in United Kingdom and Zambia respectively — Claimants granted permission to serve claim form on Zambian defendant out of jurisdiction — Whether “real issue” between claimants and United Kingdom defendant to which Zambian defendant necessary and proper party — Whether England “proper place” for hearing claim — Whether claimants able to achieve substantial justice if claim heard in Zambia — CPR rr 6.36, 6.37(3), Practice Direction 6B, para 3.1

[2019] UKSC 20; [2020] AC 1045; [2019] 2 WLR 1051; [2019] 3 All ER 1013; [2019] 2 All ER (Comm) 559; [2019] 2 Lloyd's Rep 399; [2019] WLR (D) 241; Case details, SC(E)

Appellate History

Commentary

UK Supreme Court Blog
Case Comment: Vedanta Resources Plc & Anor v Lungowe & Ors [2019] UKSC 20 Case comment

New Judgment: Vedanta Resources PLC & Anor v Lungowe & Ors [2019] UKSC 20 Case comment

Blackstones Civil Practice 2023
Jurisdiction under the Common Law Rules - Procedure on seeking permission 16.40

Jurisdiction under the Common Law Rules - Grounds for granting permission - Necessary or proper party (PD 6B, para. 3.1(3) and (4)) 16.45

Proper place to bring the claim (forum conveniens) 16.60

Stays on the Ground of Forum non Conveniens - Reasons of justice 16.64