Region: Malaysia

Malaysian practitioner goes solo as arbitrator

After 33 years of mainly counsel practice at a firm she founded with the former Attorney General of Malaysia Tommy Thomas, Kuala Lumpur-based practitioner Sitpah Selvaratnam is retiring to become a full-time independent arbitrator.

03 November 2023

HSF to close Kuala Lumpur office

Herbert Smith Freehills is to close its office in Kuala Lumpur, which has been managed for the past six years by arbitration partner Peter Godwin.

18 October 2023

Goldman Sachs files claim against Malaysia over 1MDB settlement

Goldman Sachs has launched an LCIA claim against Malaysia after it accused the state of breaching a multibillion-dollar settlement over the US bank’s role in the 1MDB corruption scandal.

12 October 2023

Algerian state entity wins shares but no damages in seawater plant dispute

An ICC tribunal has upheld a claim by a subsidiary of Algeria’s national oil and gas company Sonatrach over rights to shares in a seawater desalination plant, while rejecting its claims for almost US$400 million in damages against two Asian companies.

03 October 2023

Malaysian Bar president resigns from AIAC

The president of the Malaysian Bar has resigned from the advisory board of the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) after its members were asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

25 September 2023

Dutch court blocks enforcement of Malaysia mega-award

The Hague Court of Appeal has refused to enforce a US$15 billion award against Malaysia won by heirs to a sultanate on the island of Borneo – finding that sole arbitrator Gonzalo Stampa lacked capacity to issue the ruling after his appointment was annulled by the Spanish courts.

27 June 2023

Algerian water plant award survives French challenge

A French court has refused to set aside a partial award upholding jurisdiction over a US$290 million ICC claim brought by a subsidiary of Algeria’s national oil and gas company Sonatrach against its partners in a seawater desalination plant.

21 June 2023

Nepal wins first ICSID case

Nepal has won the only ICSID case it has so far faced – a US$422 million claim brought by a Malaysian telecoms group over a tax demand.

12 June 2023

Italian constructor brings ICSID claim against Cameroon

An Italian construction group has reportedly brought an ICSID claim against Cameroon over a terminated contract to build a sports stadium, as several claimants abandon a separate case the state is facing at the centre.

12 June 2023

Malaysia overturns enforcement of jurisdictional award in mega-case

A Paris court has overturned an earlier ruling to recognise an award upholding jurisdiction over the US$15 billion claim brought against Malaysia by heirs to a sultanate on the island of Borneo.

06 June 2023

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