When can an arbitrator voluntarily resign and what are the implications for the arbitration?

Jan 25, 2023 | Arbitration, International Disputes, NZIAC

By Maria Cole Circumstances can arise when an arbitrator in a domestic arbitration needs to voluntarily resign their appointment. But what is the status of the arbitration if this occurs? Does the court have jurisdiction to step in? This article looks at a recent...

The nuts and bolts of appealing an arbitral award when you need the Court’s leave

Jul 25, 2022 | Arbitration, International Disputes, NZIAC

By Maria Cole What is involved when you want to appeal an arbitral award but need leave from the High Court to get a foot in the door? Two recent decisions out of Hong Kong and New Zealand look at different aspects of the application process. Any party to an...

Lifestyles of the rich and famous: polo clubs and (non) party parties

Jul 12, 2022 | Arbitration, International Disputes, NZIAC

By Maria Cole and Michelle Rubaduka   A company that acquired the Beverly Hills Polo Club trade mark was found by the English Court of Appeal to be bound by an arbitration clause in an agreement entered into by its predecessor owner of the trade mark.[1] The...

The importance of certainty in international arbitration agreements

Jul 12, 2022 | Arbitration, International Disputes, NZIAC

By Sam Dorne   The UK Supreme Court has once again looked at how to determine the law that applies to an international arbitration agreement in the case of Kabab-Ji SAL v Kout Food Group [2021] UKSC 48. An interesting set of facts led the Court to look at an...

Husky Food Importers & Distributors Ltd v JH Whittaker & Sons Ltd [2022] ONSC 1679

Jul 6, 2022 | Arbitration, International Disputes, NZIAC

By Elliott Couper and Jack Davies New Zealand confectionary and chocolate manufacturer, JH Whittaker & Sons Ltd (Whittaker’s), has brought a successful motion to stay litigation commenced against it by Husky Food Importers & Distributors Ltd (Husky) in the...

All dressed up but nowhere to go: Recognition but no enforcement of ICSID awards

Jun 28, 2022 | Arbitration, Enforcement of award, International Disputes, NZIAC

By Dr Anna Kirk and Belinda Green Foreign arbitral awards can be recognised and enforced in other countries by virtue of the provisions of the New York Convention. This is typically a quick and easy process. But two recent cases have been anything but. Why? Because...

Court continues to follow modern “one stop” adjudication approach and finds arbitration clause that says “may” arbitrate means the parties “must” do so

Dec 23, 2021 | NZIAC

Where an arbitration clause is included in a contract, the courts will not interpret it as giving the parties a choice between arbitration and litigation unless very clear language is used to indicate that is the parties’ intention.   Background Kenli brought...