Starlight Shipping Co v Allianz Marine & Aviation Versicherungs AG & Ors

Starlight Shipping Co v Allianz Marine & Aviation Versicherungs AG & Ors

The English and Greek proceedings, after the Greek claimants' undertaking to abandon contractual claims, involve the same cause of action regarding the effect of the settlement agreements. The Greek court was first seised of the relevant causes of action. Therefore, under Article 27, all English applications/actions must be stayed and the summary judgments set aside.

Parties
Appellant/claimant: Starlight Shipping Company; Respondent/defendant: Allianz Marine & Aviation Versicherungs AG; Respondent/defendant: Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance; Respondent/defendant: Assicurazioni Generali SPA; Respondent/defendant: Rembrandt Insurance Co Ltd; Respondent/defendant: Brit UW Ltd; Respondent/defendant: Nicholas Burkinshaw; Respondent/defendant: Hiscox Dedicated Corporate Member Ltd; Respondent/defendant: Hill Dickinson LLP; Respondent/defendant: Hill Dickinson International; Respondent/defendant: Michael Francis Mallin; Respondent/defendant: Alexandra Julia Tytheridge; Respondent/defendant: Maria Moisidou; Respondent/defendant: Daniel McCarthy; Respondent/defendant: Dave Vale; Respondent/defendant: Mark Watters; Respondent/defendant: Simon Langridge; Respondent/defendant: William Graham Hensman; Respondent/defendant: Keith Richard Potter; Respondent/defendant: Stephen Bishop; Respondent/defendant: Richard Chown; Respondent/defendant: Simon Vincent Stonehouse; Respondent/defendant: Marion Susan Fraser; Respondent/defendant: Daniel Tony Dobisz; Respondent/defendant: Ian James Henstridge; Respondent/defendant: Brendan Allan Flood; Respondent/defendant: Charles Taylor Adjusting Limited; Respondent/defendant: Gordon Elliot; Third Party/appellant: Overseas Marine Enterprise Inc
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
20 December 2012
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Court of Appeal Judgment on Appeal From High Court
Outcome
Appeal allowed; English proceedings stayed; summary judgments set aside.
Legal Topics
Exclusive Jurisdiction Clauses, Settlement Agreements, Stay of Proceedings, Article 27 and 28 of Regulation 44/2001, Summary Judgment, Abuse of Process
Civil Procedure Insurance Law Conflict of Laws European Union Law Exclusive Jurisdiction Clauses Settlement Agreements Stay of Proceedings Article 27 and 28 of Regulation 44/2001 +2 more

Case Brief

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Parties

Starlight Shipping Company

Appellant/claimant

Allianz Marine & Aviation Versicherungs AG

Respondent/defendant

Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance

Respondent/defendant

Assicurazioni Generali SPA

Respondent/defendant

Rembrandt Insurance Co Ltd

Respondent/defendant

Brit UW Ltd

Respondent/defendant

Nicholas Burkinshaw

Respondent/defendant

Hiscox Dedicated Corporate Member Ltd

Respondent/defendant

Hill Dickinson LLP

Respondent/defendant

Hill Dickinson International

Respondent/defendant

Michael Francis Mallin

Respondent/defendant

Alexandra Julia Tytheridge

Respondent/defendant

Maria Moisidou

Respondent/defendant

Daniel McCarthy

Respondent/defendant

Dave Vale

Respondent/defendant

Mark Watters

Respondent/defendant

Simon Langridge

Respondent/defendant

William Graham Hensman

Respondent/defendant

Keith Richard Potter

Respondent/defendant

Stephen Bishop

Respondent/defendant

Richard Chown

Respondent/defendant

Simon Vincent Stonehouse

Respondent/defendant

Marion Susan Fraser

Respondent/defendant

Daniel Tony Dobisz

Respondent/defendant

Ian James Henstridge

Respondent/defendant

Brendan Allan Flood

Respondent/defendant

Charles Taylor Adjusting Limited

Respondent/defendant

Gordon Elliot

Respondent/defendant

Overseas Marine Enterprise Inc

Third Party/appellant

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Court of Appeal Judgment on Appeal From High Court

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether English proceedings should be stayed under Article 27 or 28 of Regulation 44/2001 due to related Greek proceedings
  2. 2 Whether the causes of action and parties are the same in both jurisdictions
  3. 3 Whether summary judgment was properly granted enforcing settlement agreements and exclusive jurisdiction clauses

Ratio Decidendi

The English and Greek proceedings, after the Greek claimants' undertaking to abandon contractual claims, involve the same cause of action regarding the effect of the settlement agreements. The Greek court was first seised of the relevant causes of action. Therefore, under Article 27, all English applications/actions must be stayed and the summary judgments set aside.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed; English proceedings stayed; summary judgments set aside.

Orders

  • All English applications/actions stayed until further order under Article 27.
  • Summary judgments entered by Burton J set aside.