Sulamerica CIA Nacional De Seguros SA & Ors v Enesa Engenharia SA & Ors [2012] EWHC 42 (Comm) (19 January 2012)

Sulamerica CIA Nacional De Seguros SA & Ors v Enesa Engenharia SA & Ors [2012] EWHC 42 (Comm) (19 January 2012)

The proper law of the arbitration agreement is English law, as the seat of arbitration is London. The mediation clause is not a binding condition precedent to arbitration due to lack of certainty and enforceability. The arbitration agreement covers all disputes arising out of or in connection with the policy, including liability and coverage. The anti-suit injunction should continue to restrain the Insureds from pursuing proceedings in Brazil, as there is no strong reason to refuse enforcement of the arbitration agreement under English law.

Citation
[2012] EWHC 42 (Comm)
Parties
Claimant/applicant: SULAMÉRICA CIA. NACIONAL DE SEGUROS S. A.; Claimant/applicant: ALLIANZ SEGUROS S. A.; Claimant/applicant: COMPANHIA DE SEGUROS ALIANÇA DO BRASIL; Claimant/applicant: MAPFRE VERA CRUZ SEGURADORA S. A.; Claimant/applicant: ITAÚ-UNIBANCO SEGUROS CORPORATIVOS S. A.; Claimant/applicant: ZURICH BRASIL SEGUROS S. A.; Defendant/respondent: ENESA ENGENHARIA S. A.; Defendant/respondent: ENERGIA SUSTENTÁVEL DO BRASIL; Defendant/respondent: CONSTRUÇÕES E COMÉRCIO CAMARGO CORRÊA
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
19 January 2012
Procedural Posture
Commercial Court Application for Continuation of Interim Anti Suit Injunction / Judgment on Continuation of Interim Injunction
Outcome
Anti-suit injunction continued.
Legal Topics
Proper Law of Arbitration Agreement, Anti Suit Injunctions, Multi Tiered Dispute Resolution Clauses, Interpretation of Arbitration and Jurisdiction Clauses
Arbitration Insurance Law Conflict of Laws Proper Law of Arbitration Agreement Anti Suit Injunctions Multi Tiered Dispute Resolution Clauses Interpretation of Arbitration and Jurisdiction Clauses

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Parties

SULAMÉRICA CIA. NACIONAL DE SEGUROS S. A.

Claimant/applicant

ALLIANZ SEGUROS S. A.

Claimant/applicant

COMPANHIA DE SEGUROS ALIANÇA DO BRASIL

Claimant/applicant

MAPFRE VERA CRUZ SEGURADORA S. A.

Claimant/applicant

ITAÚ-UNIBANCO SEGUROS CORPORATIVOS S. A.

Claimant/applicant

ZURICH BRASIL SEGUROS S. A.

Claimant/applicant

ENESA ENGENHARIA S. A.

Defendant/respondent

ENERGIA SUSTENTÁVEL DO BRASIL

Defendant/respondent

CONSTRUÇÕES E COMÉRCIO CAMARGO CORRÊA

Defendant/respondent

Procedural Posture

Commercial Court Application for Continuation of Interim Anti Suit Injunction / Judgment on Continuation of Interim Injunction

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What is the proper law of the arbitration agreement in the insurance policy?
  2. 2 Is the mediation clause a condition precedent to arbitration?
  3. 3 Does the arbitration agreement cover the disputes referred to arbitration?

Ratio Decidendi

The proper law of the arbitration agreement is English law, as the seat of arbitration is London. The mediation clause is not a binding condition precedent to arbitration due to lack of certainty and enforceability. The arbitration agreement covers all disputes arising out of or in connection with the policy, including liability and coverage. The anti-suit injunction should continue to restrain the Insureds from pursuing proceedings in Brazil, as there is no strong reason to refuse enforcement of the arbitration agreement under English law.

Court Disposition

Anti-suit injunction continued.

Orders

  • Continuation of interim anti-suit injunction restraining the defendants from pursuing proceedings in Brazil.
  • Costs to follow the event, subject to further submissions if any.