Arbitral Digest

Matter

C v R (IAC Case 320 of 2025)

Case no.
IAC Case 320 of 2025
Applicable rules
IAC Rules on Arbitration and Mediation 2022
  1. 29 March 2026Arbitration

    29 March 2026Arbitration

    Decision of the sole arbitrator B rejecting R's challenge dated 29 March 2026

    International Arbitration Centre of the Astana International Financial Centre

    Decision summary
    The sole arbitrator rejected R's challenge to his appointment based on alleged doubts about independence, impartiality, neutrality, and the administration of the arbitration.

    Supporting details

    2 authorities · 4 participants
    R
    C
    Representative
    X (For: C)
    International Arbitration Centre of the Astana International Financial Centre
    Arbitrator
    B

    Authorities cited

    2
    • IBA Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest approved on 25 May 2024 (IBA Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest, approved 25 May 2024)
      guideline
    • Erick van Egeraat Associated Architects BV v OOO Capital Group, Federal Arbitrazh Court of the City of Moscow, 27 August 2009
      case law

    3 months and 23 days later · 115 days

  2. 22 July 2026Kazakhstan

    22 July 2026Kazakhstan

    Judgment and Order of the Court of First Instance of the Astana International Financial Centre in case AIFC-C/CFI/2026/0019 dated 22 July 2026

    Court of First Instance of the Astana International Financial Centre

    Case no.
    AIFC-C/CFI/2026/0019
    Decision summary
    The Court dismissed R's application under Regulation 22(3) of the AIFC Arbitration Regulations 2017 to remove B as sole arbitrator in IAC Case 320 of 2025 and appoint a replacement. It held that the circumstances concerning professional contact, the arbitrator's nationality and appointment, the initial fee arrangements, and the late provision of the signed independence statement did not establish objectively justifiable doubts about B's independence or impartiality. The parties were directed to seek agreement on the costs of the application within 14 days, failing which written submissions would be filed.

    Supporting details

    12 authorities · 7 participants
    Application
    R's application to remove B as sole arbitrator and appoint a new sole arbitrator — Dismissed
    R
    Representative
    Aidar Aralbayev (For: R)
    Representative
    Magna Law Firm LLP (For: R)
    C
    Representative
    Yelena Dvoretskaya-Yussupova (For: C)
    Representative
    Legit Advocates' Bureau (For: C)
    Court of First Instance of the Astana International Financial Centre

    Authorities cited

    12
    • AIFC Arbitration Regulations 2017
      statute
    • AIFC Court Rules
      statute
    • IBA Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest approved on 25 May 2024 (IBA Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest, approved 25 May 2024)
      guideline
    • Halliburton v Chubb ([2020] UKSC 48)
      case law
    • Claimant v Defendants A, B, C, and D (AIFC-C/CFI/2023/0033, 23 November 2023)
      case law
    • R JSC v B & C Pvt. Ltd (AIFC-C/CFI/2025/0009, 19 June 2025)
      case law
    • Cofely Ltd v Anthony Bingham ([2016] EWHC 240 (Comm))
      case law
    • Aiteo Eastern E & P Co Ltd v Shell Western Supply and Trading Ltd and others ([2024] EWHC 1993 (Comm))
      case law
    • Exmek Pharmaceuticals SAC v Alkem Laboratories Ltd ([2015] EWHC 3158 (Comm))
      case law
    • Mustill & Boyd, Commercial and Investor State Arbitration, 3rd ed., 2024
      academic
    • UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration
      arbitration rules
    • LCIA Arbitration Rules
      arbitration rules

Matter record

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C v R (IAC Case 320 of 2025) · Matter