CHARLES M. WILLIE & CO. (SHIPPING) LTD. v. OCEAN LASER SHIPPING LTD. GEORGE ROUSSOS SONS S.A. AND OCEAN LASER SHIPPING LTD. v. CHARLES M. WILLIE & CO. (SHIPPING) LTD. (THE “SMARO”)

[1999] 1 Lloyd's Rep. 225

QUEEN’S BENCH DIVISION(COMMERCIAL COURT)

Before Mr. Justice Rix

Arbitration - Arbitrators - Jurisdiction - Sale of ship - Dispute under memorandum of agreement referred to arbitration - Buyers and sellers appointed arbitrators - Buyers purported to extend arbitrator’s appointment to cover claims by ultimate buyer - Whether ultimate buyer had commenced arbitration against sellers and when - Whether ultimate buyers could join existing arbitration - Arbitrators gave leave to buyers to amend pleadings - Whether arbitrators entitled to change their minds about amendment to buyers’ pleadings.