Application for Declaratory Relief for Arbitral Proceedings Held to be Abuse of Process

In Republic of India v Vedanta Resources plc [2021] SGCA 50, the Court of Appeal considered whether a party in an arbitration, who puts a question of law to a tribunal in an investment treaty arbitration and receives an answer which it does not like, can put the same question before a Singapore court (as the seat court) by way of an application for declaratory relief.

While the High Court Judge answered the question in the affirmative (albeit deciding against exercising his discretion to grant the declaratory relief), the Court of Appeal answered the same question in the negative. The Court of Appeal found the application to be an abuse of process on several levels, which we examine below.

The respondent was successfully represented by Andre Yeap SC, Kelvin Poon, Matthew Koh, and Alyssa Leong of Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP.

For more information, click here to read the full Legal Update.

CONTACTS

Senior Partner, Dispute Resolution
+65 6232 0306
Singapore,
Deputy Managing Partner
Head, International Arbitration
+65 6232 0403
Singapore, South Asia,
Partner
+65 6232 0917
Singapore,

Country

EXPERTISE

Share

Rajah & Tann Asia is a network of legal practices based in Asia.

Member firms are independently constituted and regulated in accordance with relevant local legal requirements. Services provided by a member firm are governed by the terms of engagement between the member firm and the client.

This website is solely intended to provide general information and does not provide any advice or create any relationship, whether legally binding or otherwise. Rajah & Tann Asia and its member firms do not accept, and fully disclaim, responsibility for any loss or damage which may result from accessing or relying on this website.

© 2024 Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP. All rights reserved. Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP (UEN T08LL0005E) is registered in Singapore under the Limited Liability Partnerships Act (Chapter 163A) with limited liability.