Cavell USA, Inc & Anor v Seaton Insurance Company & Anor [2009] EWCA Civ 1363 (16 December 2009)

Cavell USA, Inc & Anor v Seaton Insurance Company & Anor [2009] EWCA Civ 1363 (16 December 2009)

The Term Sheet requires all disputes, including those falling within the fraud exception, to be brought exclusively in the English courts. The exception for 'fraud' in clause 13 is not confined to claims in deceit but extends to at least some cases of dishonest abuse of fiduciary position, provided the conduct meets...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2009] EWCA Civ 1363
Parties
Respondent (claimant): Cavell USA, Inc; Respondent (claimant): Kenneth Edward Randall; Appellant (defendant): Seaton Insurance Company; Appellant (defendant): Stonewall Insurance Company
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
16 December 2009
Procedural Posture
Appeal / Court of Appeal Judgment on Preliminary Issues
Outcome
Appeal allowed in part
Legal Topics
Jurisdiction Clauses, Fraud Exception in Settlement Agreements, Interpretation of Release Clauses, Fiduciary Duties, Dishonest Abuse of Fiduciary Position
Commercial Law Contract Law Equity Insurance Law Jurisdiction Clauses Fraud Exception in Settlement Agreements Interpretation of Release Clauses Fiduciary Duties +1 more

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Parties

Cavell USA, Inc

Respondent (claimant)

Kenneth Edward Randall

Respondent (claimant)

Seaton Insurance Company

Appellant (defendant)

Stonewall Insurance Company

Appellant (defendant)

Procedural Posture

Appeal / Court of Appeal Judgment on Preliminary Issues

  1. 1 Whether the Term Sheet required all disputes, including fraud claims, to be brought exclusively in the English courts
  2. 2 Whether 'fraud' in the Term Sheet exception is limited to deceit or includes dishonest abuse of fiduciary position

Ratio Decidendi

The Term Sheet requires all disputes, including those falling within the fraud exception, to be brought exclusively in the English courts. The exception for 'fraud' in clause 13 is not confined to claims in deceit but extends to at least some cases of dishonest abuse of fiduciary position, provided the conduct meets the criminal law test of dishonesty.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed in part

Orders

  • Declaration that the exception 'in case of fraud' in clause 13 of the Term Sheet is not confined to claims in deceit but extends to at least some cases of dishonest abuse of fiduciary position.
  • All disputes, including fraud claims, must be brought in the English courts.