UK P&I Club NV v República Bolivariana de Venezuela

Subject Matter

INTERNATIONAL LAW — State immunity — Statutory exception — Sovereign state’s naval vessel lost after collision with liner insured by insurers — State pursuing claims against insurers other than in London arbitration — Whether state enjoying immunity from adjudicative jurisdiction of English courts — Whether commercial or arbitration exceptions applying — State Immunity Act 1978 (c 33), ss 1, 3(1)(a), 9

[2022] EWHC 1655 (Comm); [2022] 1 WLR 4856; [2023] 1 All ER 243; [2023] 1 All ER (Comm) 63; [2022] 2 Lloyd's Rep 520; [2022] WLR(D) 293, QBD

INTERNATIONAL LAW — State immunity — Enforcement immunity — Insurers bringing claim in English courts seeking final injunction restraining sovereign state from pursuing claims against insurers other than in London arbitration — Statutory bar on granting of injunctions against sovereign states — Whether bar incompatible with right to fair trial — State Immunity Act 1978 (c 33), s 13(2)(a) — Human Rights Act 1998 (c 42), Sch 1, Pt I, art 6

[2022] EWHC 1655 (Comm); [2022] 1 WLR 4856; [2023] 1 All ER 243; [2023] 1 All ER (Comm) 63; [2022] 2 Lloyd's Rep 520; [2022] WLR(D) 293, QBD

INTERNATIONAL LAW — State immunity — Enforcement immunity — Statutory bar on granting of injunctions against sovereign states — Whether bar incompatible with right to fair trial — State Immunity Act 1978 (c 33), s 13(2)(a) — Human Rights Act 1998 (c 42), Sch 1, Pt I, art 6

[2023] EWCA Civ 1497; [2024] KB 399; [2024] 2 WLR 912; [2024] 3 All ER 532; [2024] 2 All ER (Comm) 567; [2024] 1 Lloyd's Rep 417; [2024] WLR(D) 5, CA

Appellate History

Commentary

Blackstones Civil Practice 2023
Injunctions to Restrain Foreign Proceedings (Anti-suit Injunctions) 16.67