Reed Smith News Flashes

The UK Supreme Court has granted permission to appeal in the dispute between Pakistan’s National Transmission & Despatch Company Limited and Star Hydro Power Limited. The appeal concerns the scope of the English courts’ supervisory jurisdiction over London-seated arbitrations and the availability of anti-suit injunctions to restrain foreign proceedings under the New York Convention. This development follows the Court of Appeal’s decision to grant an anti-suit injunction. The injunction restrained proceedings in the Lahore High Court, which the Court of Appeal characterized as a pre-emptive challenge to the validity and effect of an LCIA award seated in London.

For background on the Court of Appeal’s judgment and its implications for London-seated arbitrations, see our earlier client alert.

We will provide further updates as the appeal progresses. The Supreme Court’s judgment will clarify the boundaries of supervisory jurisdiction and the role of the New York Convention in foreign recognition and enforcement.