Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd & Ors v LG Display Co. Ltd & Anor (Rev 2) [2021] EWHC 1429 (Comm) (28 May 2021)

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd & Ors v LG Display Co. Ltd & Anor (Rev 2) [2021] EWHC 1429 (Comm) (28 May 2021)

Although the contribution claim falls within the tort gateway for service out of jurisdiction, England and Wales is not the clearly appropriate forum for resolving the issue of relative responsibility between the tortfeasors; the courts of Korea or Taiwan are more appropriate given the location of witnesses and documents and the nature of the dispute.

Citation
[2021] EWHC 1429 (Comm)
Parties
Claimant/respondent: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd; Claimant/respondent: Samsung Electronics Taiwan Co. Ltd; Claimant/respondent: Samsung Electronics (UK) Ltd; Claimant/respondent: Samsung Semiconductor Europe Ltd; Claimant/respondent: Samsung Display Co Ltd; Defendant/applicant: LG Display Co. Ltd; Defendant/applicant: LG Display Taiwan Co. Ltd
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
28 May 2021
Procedural Posture
Commercial Court Application to Set Aside Service Out of Jurisdiction / Application to Set Aside Order for Service Out of Jurisdiction
Outcome
Application granted; service out of jurisdiction set aside
Legal Topics
Contribution Claims, Jurisdictional Gateways, Forum Non Conveniens, Cartel Damages, Service Out of Jurisdiction
Competition Law Private International Law Civil Procedure Contribution Claims Jurisdictional Gateways Forum Non Conveniens Cartel Damages Service Out of Jurisdiction

Case Brief

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Parties

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd

Claimant/respondent

Samsung Electronics Taiwan Co. Ltd

Claimant/respondent

Samsung Electronics (UK) Ltd

Claimant/respondent

Samsung Semiconductor Europe Ltd

Claimant/respondent

Samsung Display Co Ltd

Claimant/respondent

LG Display Co. Ltd

Defendant/applicant

LG Display Taiwan Co. Ltd

Defendant/applicant

Procedural Posture

Commercial Court Application to Set Aside Service Out of Jurisdiction / Application to Set Aside Order for Service Out of Jurisdiction

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether a contribution claim under the Civil Liability (Contribution) Act 1978 qualifies for the tort gateway for service out of jurisdiction
  2. 2 Whether alternative jurisdictional gateways (restitution, statutory) are available
  3. 3 Whether England and Wales is the appropriate forum (forum non conveniens) for the contribution claim

Ratio Decidendi

Although the contribution claim falls within the tort gateway for service out of jurisdiction, England and Wales is not the clearly appropriate forum for resolving the issue of relative responsibility between the tortfeasors; the courts of Korea or Taiwan are more appropriate given the location of witnesses and documents and the nature of the dispute.

Court Disposition

Application granted; service out of jurisdiction set aside

Orders

  • Service of proceedings on LGD out of the jurisdiction is set aside
  • Samsung's notices are dismissed