Franek Jan Sodzawiczny v Gerald Martin Smith

Franek Jan Sodzawiczny v Gerald Martin Smith

The Smith RFA constitutes a Non-Compliant Challenge to prior awards seated in England and Wales, infringing Mr Sodzawiczny’s legal rights under the Arbitration Act 1996. Enforcement proceedings and the AAI application are not Arbitral Matters. Dr Smith and Dr Cochrane lack jurisdiction to pursue claims in the Smith RFA. The court, as supervisory authority, grants an anti-arbitration injunction restraining pursuit of the Smith RFA and refuses the stay application under s.9 Arbitration Act 1996.

Parties
Claimant/respondent: Franek Jan Sodzawiczny; Defendant/applicant: Gerald Martin Smith; Defendant/respondent: Gail Alison Cochrane
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
28 October 2024
Procedural Posture
Arbitration Claim / Application for Anti Arbitration Injunction and Stay Under S.9 Arbitration Act 1996
Outcome
Anti-arbitration injunction granted; stay application refused.
Legal Topics
Anti Arbitration Injunctions, Stay of Proceedings, Enforcement of Arbitral Awards, Jurisdiction, Contracts (rights of Third Parties), Res Judicata, Vexatious Litigation
Arbitration Commercial Law Anti Arbitration Injunctions Stay of Proceedings Enforcement of Arbitral Awards Jurisdiction Contracts (rights of Third Parties) Res Judicata +1 more

Case Brief

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Parties

Franek Jan Sodzawiczny

Claimant/respondent

Gerald Martin Smith

Defendant/applicant

Gail Alison Cochrane

Defendant/respondent

Procedural Posture

Arbitration Claim / Application for Anti Arbitration Injunction and Stay Under S.9 Arbitration Act 1996

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether an anti-arbitration injunction (AAI) should be granted to restrain pursuit of an LCIA arbitration
  2. 2 Whether enforcement proceedings and AAI application are 'Arbitral Matters' under s.9 Arbitration Act 1996
  3. 3 Whether Dr Smith and Dr Cochrane have jurisdiction to pursue claims in the Smith RFA

Ratio Decidendi

The Smith RFA constitutes a Non-Compliant Challenge to prior awards seated in England and Wales, infringing Mr Sodzawiczny’s legal rights under the Arbitration Act 1996. Enforcement proceedings and the AAI application are not Arbitral Matters. Dr Smith and Dr Cochrane lack jurisdiction to pursue claims in the Smith RFA. The court, as supervisory authority, grants an anti-arbitration injunction restraining pursuit of the Smith RFA and refuses the stay application under s.9 Arbitration Act 1996.

Court Disposition

Anti-arbitration injunction granted; stay application refused.

Orders

  • Dr Smith and Dr Cochrane are restrained from pursuing the Smith RFA LCIA arbitration.
  • Stay application under s.9 Arbitration Act 1996 is refused.