Source: https://www.nzdrc.co.nz/Resources/Judgments/Arbitration+Judgments.html
Timestamp: 2019-08-18 03:18:16
Document Index: 517100422

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 4', 'art 33', 'art 34', 'art 33', 'art 34', 'art 34', 'art 17', 'art 34', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'EWCA ', 'UKSC ', 'EWCA ', 'arts 35', 'EWCA ', 'UKHL ', 'art 34']

Home > Resources > Judgments > Arbitration Judgments
OMV New Zealand Limited v Precinct Properties Holdings Limited [2018] NZCA 240 6 July 2018 (NZ Court of Appeal)
summary judgment application - appeal against HC decision refusing stay in favour of arbitration
Lessee sought stay of summary judgment application for payment of rental arrears on the basis that a dispute as to whether the relevant premises were tenantable following the Kaikoura earthquake on 14 November 2016 was being referred to arbitration under the lease.
Standard form lease document provided a carve out for proceedings by the landlord for the recovery of rent or other monies payable reflecting the primacy that leases generally place on the covenant to pay rent. Appeal by lessee dismissed.
Seaview HP Ltd v NZ Tube Ltd [2018] NZHC 1611 2 July 2018 (NZ High Court)
appeal from arbitral award – whether question of law - appellant argued that the arbitrator had misinterpreted the deed of lease between the parties - respondent argued that the arbitrator had not so erred and that there were factual conclusions that are determinative of the matter which cannot be appealed
The appeal was dimissed. The questions of law on which the appeal was advanced did not arise for determination as the relevant factual finding was determinative of the dispute.
NH3 Refrigeration Ltd v Refrigeration Engineering Co Ltd [2018] NZHC 316 5 March 2018 (NZ High Court)
application for leave to appeal - questions of law
NH3’s application for leave to appeal under r 5(1)(c) of sch 2 to the Arbitration Act 1996 was dismissed.
P v Q [2017] EWHC 194 (Comm) 9 February 2017 (High Court of Justice, Queen's Bench Division, Commercial Court)
arbitration - tribunal secretary - allegation of improper delegation - application to remove arbitrators
Application dismissed. This judgment provides a discussion on the practical use of tribunal secretaries.
Leef v Bidois [2015] NZSC 128 24 August 2015 (NZ Supreme Court)
application for leave to appeal - conflict of interest - natural justice
Applicant accepted Court of Appeal's finding that there was an arbitration agreement and appealed on the two procedural issues of conflict of interest and access to documents.
The Court was of the opinion that the issue of whether there can be waiver of the right to an independent and impartial tribunal is one of public or general importance, but as there was to objection taken at the time, this was not a suitable case to decide the question of principle.
BSC Construction Ltd v Withers [2015] NZHC 1988 21 August 2015 (NZ High Court)
arbitration - application to set-aside - natural justice - Building Disputes Tribunal expedited rules
A party to an arbitration sought to set aside an arbitral award on the basis he had not had any opportunity to file evidence in reply. The claim was brought under Building Disputes Tribunal's expedited rules. The Court held that there was nothing in the expedited rules to suggest that the parties contemplated any inequality of treatment and there was no breach of the rules of natural justice. The judgment provides confirmation that procedures in the rules provide a dispute resolution mechanism that is both proportionate to what is in issue, and effective in the end result.
Bidois v Leef [2015] NZCA 176 18 May 2015 (NZ Court of Appeal)
Appeal from decision to set aside award on basis the dispute was not one which could in law be the subject of an arbitration agreement - s2 Arbitration Act - meaning of defined legal relationship - natural justice - conflict of interest and fair hearing rights - arbitration or expert determination - Sch 1, art 4 Waiver of right to object
Court of Appeal held that there was a requisite defined legal relationship, stating that it was incorrect to suggest the issue being arbitrated must be ultimately determinative of the whole contest between the parties [50] and finding that the arbitration did have direct consequences on the entitlement to a share of the settlement funds proceeds [52]. Looking at the overall context, the Court was satisfied that the issue between the parites could properly be the subject of an arbitration agreement.
The Court also rejected the argument that one party could fail to object to the appointment of an arbitrator where it had full knowledge of the relevant conflict, but then be permitted to object at a later time (after the award was published). It also did not find there was a process breach in terms of the failure to provide a copy of documents relied on to the other side (those documents being otherwise made available). The Court concluded that what occurred flowed directly from the process that the parties agreed to [93].
White v Maiden [2014] NZHC 3037 1 December 2014 (NZ High Court)
objection to arbitrator under Schedule 1 of the Arbitration Act – whether conflicts of interest give rise to bias – whether objective test breached – no question of credibility in arbitration – no reasonable person would think possibility of bias
Danone Asia Pacific Holdings PTE Ltd v Nutricia Limited [2014] NZCA 536 7 November 2014 (NZ Court of Appeal)
appeal against temporary stay – claim relating to manufacture and supply of allegedly defective milk product – arbitration in Singapore under supply agreement would resolve critical issues in HC proceeding – whether stay appropriate exercise of discretion – whether stay should be amended to require completion of interlocutory steps
Todd Petroleum Mining Company Limited v Shell (Petroleum Mining) Company Limited [2014] NZCA 507 17 October 2014 (NZ Court of Appeal)
appeal on question of law – joint venture relationship between parties involving the Kapuni oil and gas field in Taranaki – dispute over delivery of gas through the Whareroa pipeline – interpretation of Schedule 1 art 33(3) and art 34(3) Arbitration Act 1996 – time within which a party to an arbitral award, who had sought an additional award on a matter not resolved by the original award under art 33(3), might seek recourse against that award under art 34(3)
All Metals Trading Company Limited v Wright [2014] NZHC 2136 5 September 2014 (NZ High Court)
application for summary judgment on guarantee for rent and outgoings over premises – effect of alternative dispute resolution clause and arbitration clause in ADLS standard form of lease – whether ADR right waived – arbitration clause will not usurp summary judgment process
Danone Asia Pacific Holdings Pte Ltd v Fonterra Co-Operative Group Ltd [2014] NZHC 1681 17 July 2014 (NZ High Court)
application for stay – claims relating to Fonterra supply of contaminated product for use in baby formula – arbitration commenced under supply agreement between main parties – jurisdiction to grant stay – whether stay appropriate in interests of justice
Bidois v Leef [2014] NZCA 271 25 June 2014 (NZ Court of Appeal)
s2 Arbitration Act 1996 - meaning of defined legal relationship - application for leave to adduce further evidence in support of appeal against decision of Andrews J finding that the mana whenua dispute was not a dispute "in respect of a defined legal relationship" and was therefore not an arbitration
Further evidence must be fresh, credible and cogent and will not be regarded as fresh if it could with reasonable diligence have been adduced at trial. Evidence that is not fresh will only be admitted in exceptional and compelling circumstances [15].
Application granted on the basis that, whilst the question of whether the process was in fact an arbitral tribunal process was raised during the hearing, the focus appeared to have been on a different aspect of that questions, namely whether the parties intended to submit to arbitration or an expert determination.
Carr v Gallaway Cook Allan [2014] NZSC 75 20 June 2014 (NZ Supreme Court)
agreement to arbitrate – right of appeal from arbitral award extended to questions of fact – whether agreement enforceable despite invalidity – whether offending words severable – whether setting aside arbitral award was correct exercise of discretion under art 34, Schedule 1, Arbitration Act
Holden v Foodstuffs (Wellington) Co-operative Society Limited [2014] NZCA 245 16 June 2014 (NZ Court of Appeal)
application for special leave to appeal from reversal of arbitral award – lease of supermarket premises – interpretation – whether lessee liable for turnover rental following relocation – whether damages assessable on basis of turnover rent if premises remained open – requirements for special leave relating to arbitral awards
Nichols v The Attorney-General [2014] NZHC 1341 16 June 2014 (NZ High Court)
application for leave to appeal from partial award under s 162A(5) Biosecurity Act 1993 – breaches of HC Rules – leave denied
Queenstown Mini Golf Limited v Brecon Street Partnership Limited [2014] NZHC 1101 22 May 2014 (NZ High Court)
Application for interim injunction – section 16, Arbitration Act 1996 – arbitral jurisdiction.
Shell (Petroleum Mining) Co Ltd v Vector Gas Contracts Ltd [2014] NZHC 1072 20 May 2014 (NZ High Court)
R T Vincent Limited v Watts & Hughes Construction Limited [2014] NZHC 847 29 April 2014 (NZ High Court)
Ursem v Chung [2014] NZHC 436 12 March 2014 (NZ High Court)
application to stay proceedings and refer to arbitration – jurisdiction of arbitral tribunal
Green Acres Franchise Group Ltd v Reube [2014] NZHC 402 7 March 2014 (NZ High Court)
interim injunction application for restriction of trade until arbitration occurs – art 17B of the Arbitration Act 1996 – serious issue to be tried – restraint of trade – balance of convenience
Foodstuffs (Wellington) Cooperative Society Ltd v Holden[2013] NZHC 3379 16 December 2013 (NZ High Court)
application to set aside arbitral award against an error of law – contract interpretation
Body Corporate 172108 v Manchester Securities Ltd CIV-2013-404-4284 10 December 2013 (NZ High Court)
application for leave to appeal against arbitral award under cl 5 sch 2 Arbitration Act 1996 in relation to repairs to a leaky building – remediation scheme approved by the court enabled respondent to carry out repairs and capped liability – body corporate issued a levy which the respondent disputed – arbitrator found that completion of the repair work on was not a pre-condition for applying the cap – should leave to appeal be given against the arbitrator’s interpretation of the clause?
Wiles v Bryant Homes Limited CIV-2013-404-03143 6 December 2013 (NZ High Court)
arbitration clause interpretation - jurisdiction
Coxhead v Wallbank [2013] NZHC 3249 5 December 2013 (NZ High Court)
application to set aside arbitration award – error of law – valid commencement of arbitration - breach of natural justice.
Cenatio Ltd v Paragon Builders Ltd [2013] NZHC 3057 14 November 2013 (NZ High Court)
application to set aside statutory demand – abuse of process
Jerling v Moss Brothers Ltd [2013] NZHC 2893 1 November 2013 (NZ High Court)
application to set aside arbitral award – natural justice – damages
Lighter Quay Residents' Society Inc v Waterfront Properties (2009) Ltd [2013] NZHC 2678 15 October 2013 (NZ High Court)
comparison of arbitration and expert determination
Coxhead v Wallbank [2013] NZHC 2622 9 October 2013 (NZ High Court)
application to set aside arbitral award – arbitrator’s error of law – agreement to appeal on a question of law
Wilbur Trust Ltd v Moxham [2013] NZHC 1968 6 August 2013 (NZ High Court)
application to set aside statutory demand – arbitrator’s lack of jurisdiction – genuine dispute
The Law Connection Ltd v Roche [2013] NZHC 1742 12 July 2013 (NZ High Court)
application for summary judgment and concurrent application for stay of judgment – arbitration agreement excludes interlocutory relief, does this include summary judgement – arbitration agreement definition
Crane Distribution (NZ) Ltd v Durrant [2013] NZHC 1707 5 July 2013 (NZ High Court)
application for summary judgment and concurrent application for stay of judgment
Leef v Bidois [2013] NZHC 1349 10 June 2013 (NZ High Court)
legal validity of the agreed to ‘Mana Whenua arbitration agreement’ – definition of arbitration agreement – conflict of interest – breach of natural justice – discretion for court to set aside arbitral award
New Zealand Local Authority Protection Programme Disaster Fund v The New India Assurance Company Ltd [2013] NZHC 1327 6 June 2013 (NZ High Court)
application for stay of judgment – determined after conclusion of concurrent application for summary judgment – arguable defence – dispute
Kiwi Empire Confectionery Ltd v Singh [2013] NZHC 1272 31 May 2013 (NZ High Court)
application to set aside arbitration award – art 34 of the Arbitration Act 1996
DM Roberts Ltd v Mudgway [2013] NZCA 187 30 May 2013 (NZ Court of Appeal)
appeal to grant of stay for dispute to be arbitrated – dispute for arbitration – arguable defence test
Zurich Australian Insurance Ltd t/a Zurich New Zealand v Cognition Education Ltd [2013] NZCA 180 29 May 2013 (NZ Court of Appeal)
application to stay proceedings based on art 8 of the Arbitration Act 1996 – dispute – interpretation of art 8(1) – jurisdiction
Ngai Tahu Justice Holdings Ltd v The Attorney-General [2013] NZHC 801 18 April 2013 (NZ High Court)
application to search documents filed in a proceeding – proceeding stayed through consent of parties until arbitration referral by the court – privacy of arbitration
New Zealand Local Government Insurance Corporation Ltd v R+V Vesicherung AG [2013] NZHC 690 9 April 2013 (NZ High Court)
application for summary judgment – responding application for stay of proceedings – arbitration clause function – jurisdiction – avoiding interpretation of contract as this is the Tribunal’s role
Healthlink Ltd v Orion Systems International Ltd [2013] NZHC 594 27 March 2013 (NZ High Court)
application for stay of proceedings – is the proceeding a matter which is subject to arbitration under the agreement – extension of arbitration agreements by common law or statute – related parties – interpretation of arbitration agreement
Napier City Council v Cityscape New Zealand Ltd [2013] NZHC 600 26 March 2013 (NZ High Court)
appeal on questions of law of interim arbitral award – misconstrued clauses of the lease
Waters v Perry Foundation CIV-2011-419-1790 25 March 2013 (NZ High Court)
section 11 of the Arbitration Act 1996 not applicable to leases – determination of contract as lease or licence
Aspec Construction Wellington Ltd v Delta Developments Ltd [2013] NZHC 5 7 March 2013 (NZ High Court)
interlocutory application for refusal of enforcement of arbitral award and application to set aside the award – breach of natural justice – refusal to allow time extension – is there a conflict with the public policy of New Zealand
Galloway Cook Allan v CARR [2013] NZCA 11 15 February 2013 (NZ Court of Appeal)
appeal of High Court decision to set aside arbitral award – agreement to refer to arbitration included invalid and unenforceable right of appeal on questions of fact – jurisdiction – excess of jurisdiction
Manchester Securities Limited v Body Coporate 172108 CIV-2012-404-5937 13 February 2013 (NZ High Court)
application to set aside statutory demand – remedial levy – arbitration – set-off – statutory demand – solvency
Shell (Petroleum Mining) Company Ltd v Vector Gas Contracts Ltd [2014] NZHC 31 AK 31 January 2013 (NZ High Court)
appeal against arbitration tribunal award – awards related to the allocation, quantum and pricing of gas – whether the Tribunal erred in ruling that the parties’ subsequent conduct should be excluded when interpreting the contract
Discovery Geo Corporation v STP Energy PTY Limited CIV-2012-485-2675 19 December 2012 (NZ High Court)
application for interim order – arbitration decision pending – jurisdiction Argyle Estates Ltd v Bowen Group Ltd, Advanced Cardiovascular Systems Inc v Universal Specialties Ltd, Bayat v Cecil, Rimini Ltd v Manning Management & Marketing Pty Ltd, Hamilton v Infiniti Capital Andante Ltd, Dale v Jeffrey – relief – balance of harm – reasonable possibility of success – delay
Cognition Education Limited v Zurich Australian Insurance Limited t/a Zurich New Zealand CIV-2012-404-1246 5 December 2012 (NZ High Court)
objection to jurisdiction of court to refer dispute to arbitration – application for summary judgement priority Jowada Holdings Ltd v Cullen Investments Ltd – Two approaches Todd Energy Ltd v Kiwi Power (1995) Ltd, SL Sethia Liners Ltd v State Trading Corporation of India Ltd and Royal Oak Mall Ltd, Reilly v Fletcher, Auckland City Council c Auckland Tepid Baths Ltd (No.1) – overview of case law
As Pire 2008 Ltd v Spazio Casa Franchising Ltd [2012] NZHC 3153 26 November 2012 (NZ High Court)
H&H Contractors Limited v Leighton Contractors Pty Limited CIV-2010-404-4637 19 November 2012 (NZ High Court)
cancellation of contract – survival of arbitration clause
Aladdins Motor Inn Limited v Bowcorp Holdings Limited CA16-2012 14 November 2012 (Court of Appeal)
appeal of decision to uphold statutory demand – common law and arbitral award Vector Gas Ltd v Bay of Plenty Energy Ltd – costs
Ironsands Investments Ltd v Toward Industries Ltd CIV-2010-404-1289 and CIV-2010-404-2012 and CIV-2010-404-6843 13 November 2012 (NZ High Court)
Highgate on Broadway Limited v Devine CIV-2012-406-136 16 October 2012 (NZ High Court)
arbitrator jurisdiction – tenant and landlord dispute – arbitration agreement – High Court proceedings
Leef v Bidois CIV-2012-470-461 11 October 2012 (NZ High Court)
application to set aside arbitral award – court intervention Pupuke Service Station Ltd v Caltex Oil (NZ) Ltd, Attorney-General v Prince, Couch v Attorney-General – strike out application Abraham’s Wool Exchange v Norlake Wool Ltd, Downer-Hill Joint Venture v Government of Fiji, Ironsands Investments Ltd v Toward Industries – agreement invalidity – jurisdiction – independence Duncan & Davies Nurseries New Plymouth Ltd v Honnor Block Ltd – public policy conflict Amaltal Corporation v Maruha (NZ) Corporation Ltd, Deutsche Schachtbau-und Tiefbohrgesellschaft mbH v Shell International Petroleum Company Ltd, London Expert Corporation v Jubilee Coffee Roasting – breach of natural justice
Lipp v Chaney CIV-2011-404-8091 and CIV 2012-404-321 3 September 2012 (NZ High Court)
costs – equitable estoppel
Rua v Mamuku Highlands Ltd CIV-2012-463-137 27 July 2012 (NZ High Court)
application to appeal against arbitral award – Jurisdiction Gold and Resource Developments (NZ) Ltd v Doug Hood Ltd, Pupuke Service Station Ltd v Caltex Oil (NZ) Ltd
Lipp v Chaney CIV-2011-404-8091 and CIV 2012-404-321 20 July 2012 (NZ High Court)
appeal – application to set aside arbitral award – error of law – onus of proof – representation – reasonable reliance – detriment – unconscionability – relief
Iakopo v Rutherford CIV-2012-404-1680 3 July 2012 (NZ High Court)
granting of interim injunction – did not apply schedule 1 article 9 but used the High Court Rules
Casaceli v Natuzzi S.p.A. [2012] FCA 691 29 June 2012 (Federal Court of Australia)
Mudgway v DM Roberts Limited CIV-2012-470-114 29 June 2012 (NZ High Court)
application to amen summary judgement application – stay of proceedings – alternative dispute resolution provided for – what constitutes invoking arbitration provision Royal Oak Mall Limited v Savory Holdings Limited
Carr v Galloway Cook Allan CIV-2011-412-417 28 June 2012 (NZ High Court)
application to set-aside arbitral award – error of fact and law – grounds to set aside – invalidity Kearney v Whitehaven Colliery Co, Carney v Herbert, McFarlane v Daniell, Humphries v Proprietors of “Surfers Palms North” Group Titles Plan 1995 – absence of pleading/time bar – merits – estoppel Attorney-General v Howard – Methanex Motunui Ltd v Spellman – Contractual Mistakes Act 1977
Ford Motor Company of Canada Limited v Sheriff [2012] BCSC 891 18 June 2012 (Canada, Supreme Court of British Columbia)
TTAH Limited v Koninklijke Ten Cafe NV CIV-2010-404-8250 18 June 2012 (NZ High Court)
application for stay of proceedings – similar arbitration process contractually agreed – discretionary
Ironsands Investments Ltd v Toward Industries Ltd CIV-2010-404-1289 and CIV-2010-404-2012 and CIV-2010-404-6843 8 June 2012 (NZ High Court)
reserved judgement – challenges to international arbitral award – strike out principles Downer-Hill Joint Venture v Government of Fiji, Shannon v Shannon, Paper Reclaim Ltd v Aotearoa International – Arbitration Act 1996 – fraud The Amphill Peerage, Redcliffe Forestry Venture Ltd v Commissioner of Inland Revenue – corruption of process – material non-disclosure
Sulamerica CIA Nacional de Seugros SA v Enesa Enenharia SA [2012] EWCA Civ. 648 (Court of Appeal (Civil Division) England and Wales)
Pacific China Holdings Ltd (In Liq) v Grand Pacific Holdings Ltd CACV 136/2011 9 May 2012 (High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Court of Appeal)
International Court of Arbitration - appeal from judgment of Saunders J setting aside award - international commercial arbitration - UNCITRAL Model Law - ICC Rules of Arbitration
Dispute arose from demands to pay sums allegedly due under a Loan Agreement entered into as part of the acquisition of the applicant. Applicant argued that it was unable to present its case and/or the arbitral procedure was not in accordance with the agreemnt of the parties, and accordingly, the award ought to be set aside. Court will not consider the substantive merits of the dispute, or the correctness of the award, whether concerning errors of fact or law. On appeal the Court disagreed with Saunders J finding that violations of Article 34(2) of the Arbitration Ordinance had not been established and that Saunders J had not been entitled to interfere in what the appellate Court found to be case management decisions within the discretion of the tribunal to make. Appeal allowed and award re-instated.
Lipp v Chaney CIV-2011-404-8091 30 April 2012 (NZ High Court)
application for stay of arbitral award - dismissed
South Pacific Industrial Limited v United Telecoms Limited CIV-2012-488-202 13 April 2012 (NZ High Court)
opposition of freezing order – jurisdiction Shaw v Narain, Bank of New Zealand v Hawkins, Klissers Farmhouse Bakeries Ltd v Harvest Bakeries Ltd – flexibility – good arguable case – discretionary factors
BJ Pye Sheetmetal 2009 Ltd v Forsman CIV-2011-485-2115 21 March 2012 (NZ High Court)
appointment of arbitrator – engineer role referral – prescribed time – delay
Capital Construction Ltd v Luxta Ltd CIV-2011-485-1622 AND CIV-2011-485-1719 AND CIV 2011-485-1839 23 February 2012 (NZ High Court)
application for leave for stand down period – error of law – affecting rights of parties – discretionary factors
Lawson and Robinson v Wenley CIV-2010-441-833 22 February 2012 (NZ High Court)
application to appeal of arbitral award – Partnership Act – general justice and fairness consideration A’s Co Ltd v Dagger
Aladdins Motor Inn Limited v Bowcorp Holdings Limited CIV-2011-454-412 16 December 2011 (NZ High Court)
Application to set aside statutory demand – Application to appoint arbitrator – Substantial dispute North Harbour Equine Hospital Ltd v Little – Proper debts Miller v Mattin – Contractual exclusion of set-off Browns Real Estate Ltd v Grand Lakes Properties Ltd, Benjamin Dev Ltd v Robt Jones Ltd.
ENRC Marketing AG v OJSC "Magnitogorsk Metallurgical Kombinat" [2011] FCA 1371 25 November 2001 (Federal Court of Australia)
Scantlebury v Pinny CIV-2010-470-000723 9 September 2011 (NZ High Court)
application for summary judgement – personal liability NZHB Holdings Ltd v Bartells – new evidence
Dunick v Nicholson CIV-2011-404-3549 30 August 2011 (NZ High Court)
application to enter arbitral award as judgement – onus – definition of ‘award’ – costs
Ironsands Investments Ltd v Toward Industries Ltd CIV-2010-404-4879 30 August 2011 (NZ High Court)
costs – successful strike out of application to set aside interim arbitral award – granted
Luxor Vending Limited v The Warehouse Group Limited CIV-2011-404-4390 29 July 2011 (NZ High Court)
wrongful repudiation – application for injunction
Jivraj v Hashwani [2011] UKSC 40 27 July 2011 (Supreme Court, England and Wales)
Ironsands Invesments Ltd v Toward Industries Ltd CIV-2010-404-004879 8 July 2011 (NZ High Court)
Todd Petroleum Mining Co Ltd v Shell (Petroleum Mining) Co Ltd CIV-2010-485-2122 and Shell (Petroleum Mining) Co Ltd v Todd Petroleum Mining Co Ltd CIV-2010-485-2126 30 June 2011 (NZ High Court)
Application appeal arbitral award – Approach to granting leave Gold & Resource Developments (NZ) Ltd v Doug Hood Ltd – Strongly arguable – Discretion – Joint venture – Contractual obligations – Costs
Pacific China Holdings Ltd (In Liq) v Grand Pacific Holdings Ltd HCCT 15/2010 29 June 2011 (High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Court of First Instance Construction and Arbitration Proceedings)
International Court of Arbitration - application to set-aside award - international commercial arbitration - UNCITRAL Model Law - ICC Rules of Arbitration
Dispute arose from demands to pay sums allegedly due under a Loan Agreement entered into as part of the acquisition of the applicant. Applicant argued that it was unable to present its case and/or the arbitral procedure was not in accordance with the agreement of the parties, and accordingly, the award ought to be set aside. Court will not consider the substantive merits of the dispute, or the correctness of the award, whether concerning errors of fact or law. Applicant established that the procedure adopted by the Tribunal was not in accordance with the agreement of the parties and that it was thereby unable to present its case. Applicant established violations of Article 34(2) and the Court's discretion was exercised in favour of setting aside the award.
Rebmann v Rohde G043665 28 June 2011 (Court of Appeal of the State of California Fourth Appellate District Division Three)
Lawson and Robinson v Wenley CIV-2010-441-833 24 June 2011 (NZ High Court)
application appeal arbitral award – jurisdiction – partnership agreement – discretion
Justmink Ltd v Tuhoe-Waikaremoana Maori Trust Board CIV-2011-463-291 9 June 2011 (NZ High Court)
application to set aside arbitral award – conflict with common law – jurisdiction – arguable basis
Stanaway Real Estate Limited v Cooper & Co Real Estate Limited CIV-2010-404-8007 18 May 2011 (NZ High Court)
Appeal of arbitrator’s award – Question of law Gold and Resource Developments (NZ) Ltd v Doug Hood Limited
Gawith v Lawson CIV-2010-435-253 4 May 2011 (NZ High Court)
Application for summary judgment – Cross application for stay of proceedings – Contractual agreement to arbitrate dispute – Two approaches – Arguable defence/Indisputability Fletcher Construction New Zealand v South Pacific Co-operative Dairies Ltd – Stay precedent Todd Energy Limited v Kiwi Power (1995) Limited, Alstom New Zealand Limited v Contact Energy Limited – Stay – Notice
TGB Holdings Ltd v BFP Trustees No 1 Ltd CIV-2009-488-566 4 April 2011 (NZ High Court)
freezing order – application on notice – equitable mortgage Hope v Hope, Buhr v Barclays Bank Plc – Ordinary course of business A v C, Gangway Ltd v Caledonian Park Investments (Jersey) Ltd, Bank of New Zealand v Hawkins – Jurisdiction – Legal fees as expenses Halifax Plc v Chandler, Sundt Wrigley Co Ltd v Wrigley, Rooney Earthmoving Ltd v McTague, Ward v Forsyth – Discretion – Interests of Justice
TGB Holdings Ltd v BFP Trustees No 1 Ltd CIV-2009-488-566 1 March 2011 (NZ High Court)
freezing order – pick wick basis – sole asset – preparation for trial of proceeding – dismissed – ordinary course of business – no bad faith
Spotburn Farms Ltd v Stockco Ltd CIV-2010-404-3209 22 February 2011 (NZ High Court)
application for statutory demand – contractual agreement for arbitration – defects of statutory demand to set aside – injustice – dispute
Real Cool Holdings Limited v Page & MacRae Limited CIV-2010-470-685 12 November 2010 (NZ High Court)
oral contract - arbitration - application for leave to appeal on question of law - burden of proof
Taggart v Jim Visser Limited CIV-2010-404-3149 30 July 2010 (NZ High Court)
application for leave to set aside arbitral award - construction contract - terms of submission to arbitration - jurisdiction
The Court concluded that it was not clear that the factual basis underlying the application was made out. The parties were content to arbitrate all the issues between them with minimal documentation and aon a relatively informal basis. Having signed an agreement which said that the arbitration would be in full and final settlement of all matters between them, they should be held to that approach. Application dismissed.
Jivraj v Hashwani (Rev2) [2010] EWCA Civ 712 22 June 2010 (Court of Appeal (Civil Division) England and Wales)
Safe Kids in Daily Supervision Ltd v McNeil CIV-2010-404-1696 14 April 2010 (NZ High Court)
Schedule 1 article 9 – power of court to grant interim measures – status quo definition
Westnav Container Services Ltd v Freeport Properties Ltd [2010] BCCA 33 25 January 2010 (Court of Appeal for British Columbia)
Station Properties Ltd (in rec) v Paget CIV-2009-664 22 December 2009 (NZ High Court)
application for summary judgment – test for arbitrable matters in dispute from the matters agreed – applied ‘arguable grounds’ approach from Fletcher/Brown Joint Venture v Kiwi Dairies Ltd HC, New Plymouth, CP 7/98, 27/5/98 and Natural Gas Corporation of New Zealand Ltd v Bay of Plenty Electricity Ltd HC Wellington, CP 179/99, 22/12/99
Tuner v Body Corporate 361510 CIV-2009-409-0307 12 August 2009 (NZ High Court)
Article 8 sch 1 – inoperative and void arbitration agreement –stay of proceedings granted due to arbitration agreement despite third parties
Goodacre v Pacific Abode Homes (2004) Limited CIV-2009-404-002164 2 July 2009 (NZ High Court)
Hennah v Kelly CIV-2009-441-0103 17 June 2009 (NZ High Court)
Body Corporate 212002 Beaumont Partners Limited CIV-2009-404-001203 13 May 2009 (NZ High Court)
application for leave to appeal on question of law - ground rent dispute - relevant considerations to take into account when deciding whether to exercise discretion to grant leave
Leave to appeal refused as applicants failed to show proper case.
General Distributors Ltd v Melanesian Mission Trust Board CIV-2008-404-4436 21 November 2008 (NZ High Court)
Body Corporate 344862 v E-Gas Ltd CIV-2007-485-2168 23 September 2008 (NZ High Court)
application for summary judgment – test for arbitrable matters in dispute from the matters agreed – applied ‘anything disputable’ approach from Todd Energy Ltd v Kiwi Power (1995) Ltd HC, Wellington, CP 46/01, 29/10/01 and Alstom New Zealand Ltd v Contact Energy Ltd HC, Wellington, CP 160/01, 12/11/01
Shady Express Ltd v South Star Freightliner Ltd CIV-2008-485-026 14 March 2008 (NZ High Court)
enforcement of an arbitral award – arts 35 and 36, sch 1, Arbitration Act 1996 – adequacy of arbitrator’s reason for award
C v D Court of Appeal (Civil Division) 5 December 2007 [2007] EWCA Civ 1282 5 December 2007 (Court of Appeal (Civil Division) England and Wales)
Premium Nafta Products Limited v Fili Shipping Company Limited [2007] UKHL 40 17 October 2007 (House of Lords)
arbitration clause - whether dispute to go to arbitration or court - application for stay
Parties entered into charter agreements; owners alleged these were entered into as a result of bribery. Question of whether the arbitration clauses in the charter agreements were apt to cover the question of whether the contract was procured by bribery and whether it was possible for a party to be bound by submission to arbitration when it alleges that, but for the bribery, it would never have entered into the contract containing the arbitration clause. Section 7 of the Arbitration Act means that invalidity or rescission of the main contract does not necessarily entail the invalidity or rescission of the arbitration agreement. The Court held that the stay was correctly granted. Appeal dismissed.
Madill & Smeed Ltd v Ebert Construction Ltd CIV-2006-404-882 9 August 2006 (NZ High Court)
extension of time – clause 7 Schedule 2 Arbitration Act 1996 – undue hardship – W&R Jack Ltd v Fifield [1999] 1 NZLR 48
Casata Ltd v General Distributors Ltd [2006] NZSC 8 15 March 2006 (NZ Supreme Court)
costs – incomplete award if fails to deal with costs
Carter Holt Harvey Ltd v Genesis Power Ltd CIV-2001-404-1974 22 February 2006 (NZ High Court)
Article 5 schedule 1 – court intervention – direct relationship between matters required
Woolworths NZ Ltd v Monterery Investments Ltd CIV-2004-412-54 13 December 2004 (NZ High Court)
arbitration - appeal and cross-appeal from award - question of law
Appeal and cross-appeal from arbitral award concerning an agreement for the construction by Monterery of a supermarket to be leased to Woolworths. The dispute arose from Woolworths' decision to downsize the project and the financial impact of that decision to downsize. The Court found no error of law in the arbitral award and dismissed the appeal.
Rosser v Global Construction Services Ltd CIV-2004-404-2564 10 August 2004 (NZ High Court)
arbitration - application for leave to appeal on question of law - time of application - application for variation of costs awarded - building contract - variations
Two partial awards and one final award were issued by the arbitrator. Once an arbitrator has delivered an award on an issue referred to arbitration, an issue estoppel arises with respect to that matter. Where an award purports finally to decide an issue, it does not matter if the award is described as an interim or partial award. The Court concluded that the variations issue was finally determined in all respects in the second partial award and time for filing any application for appeal began to run from that date. Application for leave to appeal was out of time and therefore dismissed. As regards costs, an arbitrator has a broad discretion in fixing costs which must be exercised judicially and in accordance with established principle. A court will not lightly interfere with costs awards unless it is plainly shown that the award was unreasonable in all the circumstances. Application for variation of costs awarded dismissed.
Hounsome v Brown CIV-2004-404-2562 27 July 2004 (NZ High Court)
interim judgment - application for leave to appeal on question of law
Court dismissed the application stating with respect to the first argument: for this Court to intervene on such a narrow verbal point would fall foul of the principle that mere suspicion that the arbitrator may not have been right is not sufficient. The Court went on to find that, as an architect, the arbitrator was entitled to bring his own professional judgment to bear. Howevr, it is the obligation of an arbitrator to make his judgment upon a question posed and the task of the Court is to ensure that such obligation is, and is seen to be, duly complied with. Court ordered the arbitral proceeding to be resumed and the award reconsidered in light of this judgment.
Methanex Motunui Ltd v Spellman [2004] 3 NZLR 454 17 June 2004 (NZ Court of Appeal)
arbitration - meaning of "party" - right to review for breach of natural justice - purported exclusion by contract - strike out proceeding - standing
The Court concluded that, in the context of the Arbitration Act as a whole, a person is a party to an arbitration agreement only if that person is one of the persons who has submitted the dispute to arbitration and the arbitration is in respect of a defined legal relationship which involves that person. It found that Methanex was accordingly not a party and the cross-appeal on this point was allowed. No standing to challenge award if not a party. The Court further concluded that the law does not permit the parties to exclude review based on the grounds specified in Article 34. However, parties to an arbitration may stipulate for a process which, while consisent with Articles 18 and 24, does not satisfy what would normally be the requirements of natural justice and the Courts ought to be prepared to give effect to such stipulations. The Court concluded, in agreement with the High Court, that the statement of claim did not disclose an arguable cause of action for breach of natural justice. Appeal dismissed and cross-appeal allowed.
Amaltal Corporation Ltd v Maruha (NZ) Corporation Ltd CA11-03 11 March 2004 (NZ Court of Appeal)
Article 34(6) Arbitration Act 1996 – public policy – fundamental aspects of law – procedural and substantive – cannot reduce the integrity of the court system
Methanex Motunui Ltd v Spellman [2004] 1 NZLR 95 18 August 2003 (NZ High Court)
arbitration - interpretation - interpretive approach to be taken to provisions of Arbitration Act 1996 - setting aside award - whether parties can contract out of right to apply to have award set aside for breach of natural justice - nature and extent of parties' right to notice of and reply to matters before arbitrator -­ standing - who qualifies as party for the purposes of application to set aside award - First Schedule, art 34 - natural justice - meaning of "party"
The Court held inter alia that, when interpreting the Arbitration Act 1996, the purposes of finality and party autonomy had to be balanced against the intention that parties be afforded minimum standards of procedural protection. In the present case the parties had ex­pressed themselves in an apparently contradictory manner by appointing an expert to determine the matter while stating that the process was to be an arbitration. Although the issue was to be resolved by identifying the dominant contractual intent, where the parties use the language of arbitration the Court would not lightly assume that a mere expert determi­nation was intended which precluded the rules of natural justice.
***Note appealed to Court of Appeal [2004] 3 NZLR 454
Interact v McKay CIV-2003-485-209 14 July 2003 (NZ High Court)
strike out - mandate of arbitrator - ill-health of arbitrator - incapacity
First defendant arbitrator brought application to strike out claim against him on basis no substantive relief was sought against him or available. The plaintiffs sought an order terminating the arbitral mandate of the arbitrator on the basis of incapacity. Given the arbitrator's quasi judicial role, any application to remove an arbitrator is one involving only the parties to the dispute and the arbitrator should not be joined as a party to such litigation. Application of arbitrator granted.
Sea Containers Ltd v ICT Pty Ltd [2002] NSWCA 84 18 April 2002 (New South Wales Court of Appeal)
arbitration - misconduct of arbitrators - cancellation/commitment fees - unilateral alteration of arbitration agreement - reasonable apprehension of bias - removal of arbitrators
The Court found that when appointed, an arbitrator accepts a quasi judicial position governed by the law. Not only must an arbitrator be impartial, he or she must not give the appearance of bias. Attempts by an arbitrator to renegotiate their contract after appointment can easily undermine the confidence of one or more parties in the arbitrator's ability to perform their duties. The Court held that the conclusions reached by Gzell J were justified on the facts. The misconduct of the arbitrators was such that there was no choice but to remove them. Appeal dismissed.
ICT Pty Ltd v Sea Containers Ltd [2002] NSWSC 77 22 February 2002 (New South Wales Supreme Court)
removal of arbitrators - pressure to agree to cancellation fees - whether arbitrators should be represented - court power over costs of abortive arbitration - power to appoint new arbitrators - misconduct - appearance of bias
Plaintiff alleged that the arbitrators' demands that the parties agree to pay them a cancellation or commitment fee in the event that the arbitration did not proceed constituted misconduct and unsuitability on the basis of the appearance of bias, the defendant having agreed to these terms in the face of the plaintiff's opposition. The Court commented that there can be no impropriety in an arbitrator requesting a commitment fee or a cancellation fee. The issue in this case was as to the manner in which the arbitrators persisted in their request after rejection by one of the parties. On the evidence Gzell J was satisfied that each of the arbitrators misused his position in applying pressure to the parties to agree to a cancellation or commitment fee and that constituted misconduct in terms of s44(a) of the Act. Order made for removal of arbitrators.