LAWFUEL – Legal News, Legal Jobs Network – International legal practice Norton Rose, representing Svenska Petroleum Exploration AB, has been successful in the Court of Appeal in an action to enforce a Danish arbitration award against the Government of the Republic of Lithuania. The dispute between the parties arose out of a Joint Venture Agreement to exploit oil reserves in Lithuania.
Svenska applied for permission to enforce the arbitration award pursuant to the Arbitration Act 1996. However, these proceedings were stayed as the Government claimed immunity under the State Immunity Act 1978. This claim to immunity was rejected in the commercial court by Mrs Justice Gloster, but her decision was appealed to the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal has now found in Svenska’s favour, dismissing the Government of Lithuania’s claim to state immunity. The arbitration award requires the Government (jointly and severally with another Lithuanian company) to pay damages of $12,579,000 plus interest and costs to Svenska.
The Norton Rose team included partner Neil Q Miller, Charlotte Knapper and Claire Longbottom, instructing Mike Bools of Brick Court Chambers. Stewart Shackleton of Eversheds and David Holloway of Tanfield Chambers acted on behalf of the Lithuanian government.
