AIG Europe SA & Ors v John Wood Group Plc & Anor [2022] EWCA Civ 781 (10 June 2022)

AIG Europe SA & Ors v John Wood Group Plc & Anor [2022] EWCA Civ 781 (10 June 2022)

The excess insurance policies in issue provide for the exclusive jurisdiction of the English court through their standard terms and conditions. The PPJC in the Risk Details section does not apply because the primary policy contains no law or jurisdiction clause. Therefore, pursuit of proceedings in Alberta, Canada is a breach of contract, justifying anti-suit injunctions.

Citation
[2022] EWCA Civ 781
Parties
Respondent/claimant: AIG Europe SA (formerly AIG Europe Ltd); Respondent/claimant: Allianz Global Corporate & Speciality SE; Respondent/claimant: Hamilton Insurance DAC (formerly Ironshore Europe Ltd); Respondent/claimant: Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe SE (formerly Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe Ltd); Respondent/claimant: Markel International Insurance Company Limited (formerly Markel Europe Plc and Markel International Ireland); Respondent/claimant: QBE UK Limited; Respondent/claimant: XL Insurance Company SE; Respondent/claimant: Zurich Insurance PLC; Respondent/claimant: Chubb European Group SE; Appellant/defendant: John Wood Group PLC; Appellant/defendant: Wood Group Canada, Inc.
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
10 June 2022
Procedural Posture
Appeal / Court of Appeal Judgment
Outcome
Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Anti Suit Injunctions, Jurisdiction Clauses, Contract Interpretation, Exclusive Jurisdiction, London Insurance Market Practice
Insurance Law Contract Law Civil Procedure Anti Suit Injunctions Jurisdiction Clauses Contract Interpretation Exclusive Jurisdiction London Insurance Market Practice

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Parties

AIG Europe SA (formerly AIG Europe Ltd)

Respondent/claimant

Allianz Global Corporate & Speciality SE

Respondent/claimant

Hamilton Insurance DAC (formerly Ironshore Europe Ltd)

Respondent/claimant

Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe SE (formerly Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe Ltd)

Respondent/claimant

Markel International Insurance Company Limited (formerly Markel Europe Plc and Markel International Ireland)

Respondent/claimant

QBE UK Limited

Respondent/claimant

XL Insurance Company SE

Respondent/claimant

Zurich Insurance PLC

Respondent/claimant

Chubb European Group SE

Respondent/claimant

John Wood Group PLC

Appellant/defendant

Wood Group Canada, Inc.

Appellant/defendant

Procedural Posture

Appeal / Court of Appeal Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the excess insurance policies provide for exclusive jurisdiction of the English court
  2. 2 Whether pursuit of proceedings in Alberta, Canada constitutes breach of contract
  3. 3 Interpretation and precedence of conflicting jurisdiction clauses in insurance contracts

Ratio Decidendi

The excess insurance policies in issue provide for the exclusive jurisdiction of the English court through their standard terms and conditions. The PPJC in the Risk Details section does not apply because the primary policy contains no law or jurisdiction clause. Therefore, pursuit of proceedings in Alberta, Canada is a breach of contract, justifying anti-suit injunctions.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Anti-suit injunctions restraining the defendants from pursuing proceedings in Alberta, Canada under the excess insurance policies are upheld