Arbitral Digest

Matter

Hilmarton Ltd. v. Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A. (OTV)

Hilmarton Ltd. v. Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A.

Aliases: Hilmarton v OTV · OTV v Hilmarton

Case no.
ICC Case No. 5622
Seat
Switzerland
Applicable rules
ICC Rules of Conciliation and Arbitration (1975)
Substantive governing law
Swiss law
  1. 19 August 1988Switzerland

    19 August 1988Switzerland

    First ICC award in Hilmarton Ltd. v. Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A.

    International Chamber of Commerce

    Award no.
    ICC Case No. 5622
    Decision summary
    The arbitrator rejected Hilmarton's claim for the unpaid consultancy fee and treated the intermediary arrangement as contrary to Algerian Law No. 78-02 and Swiss public policy under the chosen Swiss law.

    Supporting details

    3 authorities · 2 participants
    Hilmarton Ltd.
    Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A.
    International Chamber of Commerce

    Authorities cited

    3
    • Algerian Law No. 78-02 of 11 February 1978 on the State monopoly of foreign trade (Algerian Law No. 78-02 of 11 February 1978)
      statute
    • Swiss Code of Obligations, Article 20(1)
      statute
    • ICC Rules of Conciliation and Arbitration (1975)
      institutional instrument

    1 year, 2 months and 29 days later · 455 days

  2. 17 November 1989Switzerland

    17 November 1989Switzerland

    Decision of the Court of Justice of the Canton of Geneva in the case Hilmarton Ltd. v. Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A. dated 17 November 1989

    Court of Justice of the Canton of Geneva

    Decision summary
    The court annulled the 19 August 1988 ICC award. It held that the Algerian prohibition was too broad and protectionist to make the agreement contrary to Swiss good morals without bribery, influence trading, or similar illicit conduct.

    Supporting details

    2 authorities · 2 participants
    Hilmarton Ltd.
    Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A.
    Court of Justice of the Canton of Geneva

    Authorities cited

    2
    • Algerian Law No. 78-02 of 11 February 1978 on the State monopoly of foreign trade (Algerian Law No. 78-02 of 11 February 1978)
      statute
    • Swiss Code of Obligations, Article 20(1)
      statute

    3 months and 10 days later · 102 days

  3. 27 February 1990France

    27 February 1990France

    Recognition and enforcement order of the President of the Paris Court of First Instance in the case Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A. v. Hilmarton Ltd. dated 27 February 1990

    President of the Paris Court of First Instance

    Decision summary
    The court granted recognition and enforcement in France for the 19 August 1988 ICC award while Swiss annulment proceedings were pending.

    Supporting details

    3 authorities · 2 participants
    Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A.
    Hilmarton Ltd.
    President of the Paris Court of First Instance

    Authorities cited

    3
    • Convention between France and Switzerland on judicial assistance and recognition of judgments, 15 June 1869, Articles 15 and 16
      treaty
    • Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (New York Convention, 1958) (Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, 10 June 1958, Articles V(1)(e) and VII)
      treaty
    • French Code of Civil Procedure, Articles 1498 and 1502
      statute

    1 month and 21 days later · 49 days

  4. 17 April 1990Switzerland

    17 April 1990Switzerland

    Decision of the Swiss Federal Tribunal in the case Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A. v. Hilmarton Ltd. dated 17 April 1990

    Swiss Federal Tribunal, First Civil Chamber

    Decision summary
    The Swiss Federal Tribunal rejected OTV's appeal and confirmed annulment of the first ICC award. It held that the Algerian prohibition was protectionist and did not prevail over contractual freedom under Swiss law without bribery or comparable illicit activity.

    Supporting details

    2 authorities · 2 participants
    Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A.
    Hilmarton Ltd.
    Swiss Federal Tribunal, First Civil Chamber

    Authorities cited

    2
    • Algerian Law No. 78-02 of 11 February 1978 on the State monopoly of foreign trade (Algerian Law No. 78-02 of 11 February 1978)
      statute
    • Swiss Code of Obligations, Article 20(1)
      statute

    1 year, 8 months and 2 days later · 611 days

  5. 19 December 1991France

    19 December 1991France

    Judgment of the Paris Court of Appeal in the case Hilmarton Ltd. v. Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A. dated 19 December 1991

    Paris Court of Appeal, First Chamber, supplementary section

    Case no.
    90-16778
    Decision summary
    The court confirmed recognition and enforcement of the first ICC award. It held that annulment at the seat was not a ground for refusing recognition under French law and applied the more favourable French rules through Article VII of the New York Convention.

    Supporting details

    2 authorities · 2 participants
    Hilmarton Ltd.
    Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A.
    Paris Court of Appeal, First Chamber, supplementary section

    Authorities cited

    2
    • Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (New York Convention, 1958) (Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, 10 June 1958, Articles V(1)(e) and VII)
      treaty
    • French Code of Civil Procedure, Article 1502
      statute

    3 months and 22 days later · 113 days

  6. 10 April 1992Switzerland

    10 April 1992Switzerland

    Second ICC award in Hilmarton Ltd. v. Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A.

    International Chamber of Commerce

    Award no.
    ICC Case No. 5622
    Decision summary
    The tribunal accepted Hilmarton's claim and ordered OTV to pay 2,570,406.89 French francs with interest at 5% from 25 April 1986.

    Supporting details

    1 authority · 2 participants
    Hilmarton Ltd.
    Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A.
    International Chamber of Commerce

    Authorities cited

    1
    • ICC Rules of Conciliation and Arbitration (1975)
      institutional instrument

    10 months and 15 days later · 321 days

  7. 25 February 1993France

    25 February 1993France

    Recognition and enforcement order of the President of the Nanterre Court of First Instance in the case Hilmarton Ltd. v. Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A. dated 25 February 1993

    President of the Nanterre Court of First Instance

    Decision summary
    The court declared the second ICC award dated 10 April 1992 enforceable in France.

    Supporting details

    1 authority · 2 participants
    Hilmarton Ltd.
    Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A.
    President of the Nanterre Court of First Instance

    Authorities cited

    1
    • French Code of Civil Procedure, Article 1502
      statute

    6 months and 28 days later · 209 days

  8. 22 September 1993France

    22 September 1993France

    Judgment of the Nanterre Court of First Instance in the case Hilmarton Ltd. v. Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A. dated 22 September 1993

    Nanterre Court of First Instance

    Decision summary
    The court declared enforceable in France the Swiss Federal Tribunal decision of 17 April 1990 confirming annulment of the first ICC award.

    Supporting details

    1 authority · 2 participants
    Hilmarton Ltd.
    Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A.
    Nanterre Court of First Instance

    Authorities cited

    1
    • Convention between France and Switzerland on judicial assistance and recognition of judgments, 15 June 1869, Recognition of Swiss judicial decisions
      treaty

    6 months and 1 day later · 182 days

  9. 23 March 1994France

    23 March 1994France

    Judgment of the French Court of Cassation, First Civil Chamber, in the case Hilmarton Ltd. v. Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A. dated 23 March 1994

    French Court of Cassation, First Civil Chamber

    Case no.
    Appeal No. 92-15.137
    Citation
    French Court of Cassation, First Civil Chamber, 23 March 1994, No. 92-15.137
    Decision summary
    The court rejected the appeal and made final the French recognition and enforcement of the first ICC award. It held that Article VII of the New York Convention permitted the more favourable French rules and that annulment at the seat was not a refusal ground under French Article 1502.

    Supporting details

    3 authorities · 2 participants
    Hilmarton Ltd.
    Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A.
    French Court of Cassation, First Civil Chamber

    Authorities cited

    3
    • Convention between France and Switzerland on judicial assistance and recognition of judgments, 15 June 1869
      treaty
    • Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (New York Convention, 1958) (Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, 10 June 1958, Articles V and VII)
      treaty
    • French Code of Civil Procedure, Articles 1498 and 1502
      statute

    1 year, 3 months and 6 days later · 463 days

  10. 29 June 1995France

    29 June 1995France

    Judgment No. 315 of the Versailles Court of Appeal in the case Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A. v. Hilmarton Ltd. dated 29 June 1995

    Versailles Court of Appeal, First Chamber, First Section

    Case no.
    Judgment No. 315
    Decision summary
    The court confirmed recognition in France of the Swiss Federal Tribunal decision annulling the first ICC award. It held that French international public policy did not prevent recognition of that foreign decision.

    Supporting details

    2 authorities · 2 participants
    Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A.
    Hilmarton Ltd.
    Versailles Court of Appeal, First Chamber, First Section

    Authorities cited

    2
    • Convention between France and Switzerland on judicial assistance and recognition of judgments, 15 June 1869
      treaty
    • French Code of Civil Procedure, Article 618
      statute
  11. 29 June 1995France

    29 June 1995France

    Judgment No. 316 of the Versailles Court of Appeal in the case Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A. v. Hilmarton Ltd. dated 29 June 1995

    Versailles Court of Appeal, First Chamber, First Section

    Case no.
    Judgment No. 316
    Decision summary
    The court rejected OTV's appeal and confirmed recognition and enforcement of the 10 April 1992 second ICC award. It addressed the conflicting first French recognition order, Swiss annulment, and second award under Article 618 of the French Code of Civil Procedure.

    Supporting details

    1 authority · 2 participants
    Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A.
    Hilmarton Ltd.
    Versailles Court of Appeal, First Chamber, First Section

    Authorities cited

    1
    • French Code of Civil Procedure, Article 618
      statute

    1 year, 11 months and 12 days later · 712 days

  12. 10 June 1997France

    10 June 1997France

    Judgment No. 1250 P of the French Court of Cassation, First Civil Chamber, in the case Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A. v. Hilmarton Ltd. dated 10 June 1997

    French Court of Cassation, First Civil Chamber

    Case no.
    Appeals Nos. 95-18.402 and 95-18.403
    Citation
    French Court of Cassation, First Civil Chamber, 10 June 1997, Judgment No. 1250 P
    Decision summary
    The court annulled both Versailles judgments without remand. It held that the final French recognition and enforcement of the first ICC award barred recognition of incompatible foreign judicial or arbitral decisions concerning the same object and parties.

    Supporting details

    2 authorities · 2 participants
    Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A.
    Hilmarton Ltd.
    French Court of Cassation, First Civil Chamber

    Authorities cited

    2
    • French Civil Code, Article 1351
      statute
    • French Code of Civil Procedure, Article 627(1)
      statute

    1 year, 2 months and 24 days later · 450 days

  13. 3 September 1998England and Wales

    3 September 1998England and Wales

    Ex parte enforcement order of the High Court of Justice, Queen's Bench Division, Commercial Court, in the case Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A. v. Hilmarton Ltd. dated 3 September 1998

    High Court of Justice, Queen's Bench Division, Commercial Court

    Case no.
    1998 Folio No. 1003
    Decision summary
    The court made an ex parte order giving effect in England to the 10 April 1992 ICC award. The later High Court judgment records the order and the application to set it aside.

    Supporting details

    2 authorities · 2 participants
    Hilmarton Ltd.
    Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A.
    High Court of Justice, Queen's Bench Division, Commercial Court

    Authorities cited

    2
    • Arbitration Act 1996, Section 103
      statute
    • Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (New York Convention, 1958) (Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, 10 June 1958)
      treaty

    8 months and 21 days later · 263 days

  14. 24 May 1999England and Wales

    24 May 1999England and Wales

    Judgment of the High Court of Justice, Queen's Bench Division, Commercial Court, in the case Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A. v. Hilmarton Ltd. dated 24 May 1999

    High Court of Justice, Queen's Bench Division, Commercial Court

    Case no.
    1998 Folio No. 1003
    Citation
    [1999] 2 All ER (Comm) 146; [1999] 2 Lloyd's Rep. 222
    Decision summary
    The court dismissed OTV's application to set aside the 3 September 1998 ex parte order and to refuse enforcement under section 103 of the Arbitration Act 1996. It rejected the public-policy and procedural objections and directed leave to enforce the award in the same manner as a judgment.

    Supporting details

    9 authorities · 2 participants
    Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A.
    Hilmarton Ltd.
    High Court of Justice, Queen's Bench Division, Commercial Court

    Authorities cited

    9
    • Arbitration Act 1996, Sections 103(2)(c), 103(2)(e), and 103(3)
      statute
    • Arbitration Act 1975, Section 5
      statute
    • Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (New York Convention, 1958) (Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, 10 June 1958)
      treaty
    • Regazzoni v. K.C. Sethia (1944) Ltd. ([1957] 3 All ER 286; [1958] AC 301, [1957] 3 All ER 286 at 289; [1958] AC 301 at 317)
      case
    • Westacre Investments Inc. v. Jugoimport-SDPR Holding Co. Ltd. ([1999] 1 All ER (Comm) 865; [1998] 4 All ER 570; [1998] 3 WLR 770, [1999] 1 All ER (Comm) 865 at 878 and 888)
      case
    • Lemenda Trading Co. Ltd. v. African Middle East Petroleum Co. Ltd. ([1988] 1 All ER 513; [1988] QB 448; [1988] 2 WLR 735)
      case
    • Soleimany v. Soleimany ([1998] 3 WLR 811, [1998] 3 WLR 811 at 824)
      case
    • Arab Business Consortium International Finance and Investment Co. v. Banque Franco-Tunisienne ([1996] 1 Lloyd's Rep. 485, [1996] 1 Lloyd's Rep. 485 at 491)
      case
    • Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd. v. Oil and Natural Gas Commission ([1994] 1 Lloyd's Rep. 45, [1994] 1 Lloyd's Rep. 45 at 62)
      case

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Hilmarton Ltd. v. Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation S.A. (OTV) · Matter