The demise charter contained a purchase obligation by Charterers at expiry. Title would pass automatically provided “Charterers have paid all hire… and… all management fees... due”. Charterers subsequently faced claims for management fees and crew wages, and a Singapore Court ordered the Vessel’s sale. Charterers, who disputed these claims, argued that disputed debts were not “due” and that Vessel title had passed to them. The Court disagreed; reasonable business persons would consider an amount due despite being disputed. There was nothing unfair to Charterers about a bona fide dispute depriving Charterers of the passing of title when they had failed to satisfy the conditions set out in the c/p.

Pola bareboat chartered 7 vessels (with purchase options) for 10 years from D2 (Malta) to fulfil its long-term, continuing, contracts. D2 is wholly owned by D1 (Irish), in turn beneficially owned by Russian interests subject to EU and US sanctions (the latter with a 1.9.22 deadline for transactions, and both impacting on Pola). Although the C/Ps were subject to English law/ Arbitration, Pola commenced substantive proceedings in Ireland seeking (inter alia) on a summary basis, urgent specific performance of its purchase options and orders abridging the option notice periods. As Ds 1 and 2 indicated they would comply with the Irish Court’s orders, the Court granted these 3 reliefs, in particular as damages would not have been an adequate alternative to specific performance.

Omya succeeded in its claim for GBP765,094.40 and, having made a (rejected) Pt.36 offer to accept GBP756,287.05, sought enhanced interest (up to 10% above base) and indemnity costs. Despite the damages exceeding the offer by a margin of just 1.15%, the Court ruled that it was a genuine one and the usual consequences should apply. As the Court found the Defendants’ general conduct to be highly unreasonable (implausible and absurd defences and denials) it awarded indemnity costs both before and after expiry of the offer; due to the narrow margin, however, it restricted interest to 5% above base.

The Cargo was delivered to the buyer without the production of bills of lading. HLT became insolvent and defaulted on credit facilities provided by the Bank in which had entered into trade financing arrangements. The Bank sought summary judgement for breach on the contract of carriage and it acquired rights of suit as the lawful holder of the bills of lading. The Court held the summary judgement would be refused and the owners had arguable defences that should go to the trial; the Bank had not met the threshold of honest conduct and the defence that the bills were not spent was not arguable.

The defendant cargo buyers sought a ‘preliminary injunction’ from the Brazilian Court requiring discharge of cargo, despite B/Ls being withheld for non-payment. In England, Owners claimed an anti-suit injunction (‘ASI’) in support of the B/Ls’ London Arbitration clause. Although seeking interim performance elsewhere would not necessarily constitute a breach, Owners met the ‘high probability’ threshold in showing that the order in Brazil would, in practical terms, be final, outflanking the Arbitration Clause. Similar relief could have been sought in the chosen forum and the ASI was granted.

The Claimant, a mine operator in the DRC, challenged the ICC Tribunal’s award under s.68 claiming serious irregularity by reason of, inter alia, failure to adjourn for a site visit and/or illness of their lead counsel (both linked to Covid 19), and the award of 9% interest compounded monthly. The appeal was dismissed. The Claimant had a highly experienced legal team, had 4½ weeks to replace counsel, and, although, experts differed on the necessity of a site visit, the Tribunal had correctly exercised its discretion. Interest was set at the Defendant’s borrowing cost, and the Claimant failed to show that cross-examination of the Defendant’s CFO would have resulted in a different outcome.