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Commercial Court Louise Glover Commercial Court Louise Glover

Trans-Oil International SA v (1) Savoy Trading LP (2) Ivan Melnykov [2020]

“Savoy failed to perform a contract for the sale of wheat to Trans-Oil, who commenced GAFTA arbitration against Savoy and obtained a world-wide freezing order (WWFO) against them. Trans-Oil sought to have the WWFO extended to include Mr Melnykov but the Court held that it had no jurisdiction to do so, Trans-Oil having failed to show that he was a party to the contract, personally liable on it, the real principal, or a 'necessary and proper party' to the arbitration, or that he would dissipate Savoy's assets in the jurisdiction. Trans-Oil also failed to establish that Mr Melnykov was a de facto director/principal of Savoy, such as would allow the Court to add him to the penal notice of the WWFO.”

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Commercial Court Louise Glover Commercial Court Louise Glover

Aden Refinery Company v Gunvor SA [2019]

“Gunvor sold 60,000mt gasoil to ARC, for delivery July 2014, with payment (due before delivery) calculated by reference to a contemporaneous Platts index. The parties agreed to delay delivery to September, but without adjusting the pricing clause. Gunvor invoiced at the July price but ARC paid at the lower September rate. Gunvor delivered a quantity less than 60,000 mt, commensurate with the July price, selling the balance to a third party. Gunvor sought damages arising out of ARC's failure to pay the full price. The Court rejected ARC's arguments that the price index automatically moved with delivery date, or that the contract was so varied, and held that the contract was for "pre-payment" at the July rates in the absence of any clear link to delivery date.”

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Commercial Court Louise Glover Commercial Court Louise Glover

"Amalie Essberger" Tankreederei GmbH & Co KG v Marubeni Corporation [2019]

“An amended Asbatankvoy C/P Clause specified that any claim for demurrage would be waived unless received by Charterers in writing with all supporting documents within 90 days of completion of discharge. The Clause identified supporting documents as: (a) Time logs, (b) NORs, (c) Pumping Logs and (d) Letters of Protests. Whilst (a) and (b) accompanied the (timely) claim, (c) and (d) did not, as already provided (as required by another clause) at an earlier stage. The Court held that the Clause did not contain any express requirement that supporting documents all had to be provided at the same time — or together with the claim. Furthermore, as (c) and (d) were identified by the Clause as supporting documents, Charterers should have been alerted to their status upon first receipt, such that Owners were not obliged to re-submit them. Charterers' application for summary judgment based on a time-bar defence was therefore dismissed.”

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