Pharmaceutical Processing Technology Inc v Sci-Chem International Pty Ltd [2021] NSWSC 1078

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Pharmaceutical Processing Technology Inc v Sci-Chem International Pty Ltd [2021] NSWSC 1078 Hearing dates: 26 August 2021 Date of orders: 27 August 2021 Decision date: 27 August 2021 Jurisdiction: Equity - Commercial List Before: Williams J Decision: See orders at [96]. Catchwords: INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION – Application for interim measure under Article 17J of the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration – sparing approach to exercise of the power under Article 17J – where serious question to be tried concerning validity of notices issued by defendant terminating or purporting to terminate contract – where plaintiff likely to suffer harm for which damages would not be an adequate remedy in the short-term if interim injunction not granted – where evidence does not establish that defendant likely to suffer harm in short-term – where plaintiff commenced arbitration proceedings only four days after commencing proceeding in this Court – where plaintiff accepts that continuation of injunction may be revisited by arbitral tribunal and submits that conditions for any longer-term interim injunction, including any security for the plaintiff's undertaking as to damages, are "quintessentially matters for the arbitrator" – injunction granted only for short period necessary for plaintiff to have the opportunity to apply expeditiously to arbitral tribunal for any longer term interim injunction Legislation Cited: International Arbitration Act 1974 (Cth), s 16 UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration, Articles 17 and 17J Cases Cited: Australian Broadcasting Corporation v Lenah Game Meats Pty Ltd (2001) 208 CLR 199; [2001] HCA 63 Beecham Group Ltd v Bristol Laboratories Pty Ltd (1968) 118 CLR 618 Cape Lambert Resources Ltd v MCC Australia Sanjin Mining Pty Ltd (2013) 298 ALR 666; [2013] WASCA 66 Celetem SA v Roust Holdings [2005] 4 All ER 52; [2005] EWCA Civ 618 Cherry v Steele‑Park (2017) 96 NSWLR 548; [2017] NSWCA 295 Crawford Fitting Co v Sydney Valve & Fittings Pty Ltd (1988) 14 NSWLR 438 Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd v Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd (2017) 96 NSWLR 329; [2017] NSWCA 291 Lawrence v Ciantar [2020] NSWCA 89 Mineralogy Pty Ltd v Sino Iron Pty Ltd [2016] WASCA 105 Papas v Grave [2013] NSWCA 308 Sino Dragon Trading Ltd v Noble Resources International Pte Ltd (2015) 246 FCR 479; [2015] FCA 1028 Texts Cited: Nygh's Conflict of Laws in Australia (10th ed, 2020) at [17.37]-[17.47] Category: Principal judgment Parties: Pharmaceutical Processing Technology Inc (Plaintiff) Sci-Chem International Pty Ltd (ACN 115 411 599) (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr M Izzo SC with Ms King (Plaintiff) Mr A Shah (sole director of Defendant, with leave) (Defendant)