UAU v HVB

[2021] EWHC 1548 (Comm), Queen’s Bench Division, Commercial Court, Mr Justice Calver, 28 May 2021

Arbitration – Breach of arbitration agreement – Anti-suit injunction – Declaratory relief – Senior Courts Act 1981, section 37

This was the final hearing of an application for an anti-suit injunction and declaratory relief against HVB in respect of judicial proceedings brought by HVB in Equatorial Guinea. The injunctive orders sought were to restrain HVB from taking any further steps in the proceedings other than to discontinue them, and to refrain from commencing any proceedings other than arbitration in London in accordance with the agreed arbitration clause. The declaratory orders sought were to the effect that HVB was obliged to arbitrate all disputes relating to the agreements between the parties and that the Equatorial Guinea proceedings were in breach of the agreements.