Andrea Merzario Ltd v Internationale Spedition Leitner Gesellschaft GmbH [2001] EWCA Civ 61 (23 January 2001)

Andrea Merzario Ltd v Internationale Spedition Leitner Gesellschaft GmbH [2001] EWCA Civ 61 (23 January 2001)

For the purposes of Article 31(2) CMR, an action is only 'pending' once it has been served, not merely filed. Therefore, since the Austrian action was served after the English action, the English proceedings are not barred. Furthermore, an action for a negative declaration does not bar a subsequent substantive damages action under Article 31(2) CMR.

Citation
[2001] EWCA Civ 61
Parties
Claimant/respondent: Andrea Merzario Limited; Defendant/appellant: Internationale Spedition Leitner Gesellschaft GmbH
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
23 January 2001
Procedural Posture
Appeal From Queen's Bench Division, Commercial Court / Court of Appeal Judgment
Outcome
Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
CMR Convention, Lis Pendens, Jurisdiction, Negative Declaratory Relief, Enforcement of Judgments
International Transport Law Private International Law Civil Procedure CMR Convention Lis Pendens Jurisdiction Negative Declaratory Relief Enforcement of Judgments

Case Brief

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Parties

Andrea Merzario Limited

Claimant/respondent

Internationale Spedition Leitner Gesellschaft GmbH

Defendant/appellant

Procedural Posture

Appeal From Queen's Bench Division, Commercial Court / Court of Appeal Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether an action is 'pending' under Article 31(2) CMR before service of proceedings
  2. 2 Whether a negative declaratory action bars a subsequent damages action under Article 31(2) CMR
  3. 3 Whether the Austrian and English actions are 'on the same grounds' under Article 31(2) CMR

Ratio Decidendi

For the purposes of Article 31(2) CMR, an action is only 'pending' once it has been served, not merely filed. Therefore, since the Austrian action was served after the English action, the English proceedings are not barred. Furthermore, an action for a negative declaration does not bar a subsequent substantive damages action under Article 31(2) CMR.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed

Orders

  • The application to bar, stay or dismiss the English proceedings is refused.