CORVETINA TECHNOLOGY LTD v CLOUGH ENGINEERING LTD [2004] NSWSC 700

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : CORVETINA TECHNOLOGY LTD v CLOUGH ENGINEERING LTD [2004] NSWSC 700 revised - 17/08/2004 HEARING DATE(S) : 29/07/2004 (judgment given 29/07/04 and revised 2 August 2004) JUDGMENT DATE : 29 July 2004 JURISDICTION: EQUITY JUDGMENT OF : McDougall J DECISION : See para [20] of judgment

CATCHWORDS : PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION - proceedings for enforcement of international arbitral award - where plaintiff seeks order that there be no discovery until preliminary question resolved - where defendant alleges that plaintiff performed contract in manner illegal in place of performance - where defendant says that enforcement of award based on that contract is therefore contrary to Australian public policy - whether defendant in claim for enforcement of international arbitral award can raise defence where facts relevant to illegality of performance said to have been raised and argued before and subject to decision of arbitrator - s 8(7)(b) International Arbitration Act 1974 (Cth) - whether Court should hear questions separately. LEGISLATION CITED : International Arbitration Act 1974 (Cth) Soleimany v Soleimany [1999] QB 785 at 800 Resort Condominiums International Inc v Bolwell [1995] 1 Qd R 406 CASES CITED : Westacre Investments Inc v Jugoimport-SPDR Holding Co Ltd [2000] 1 QB 288 Westacre Investments Inc v Jugoimport-SPDR Holding Co Ltd [1999] QB 740 Tepko Pty Ltd v Water Board (2000) 206 CLR 1 at 55 PARTIES : Corvetina Technology Limited (plaintiff) Clough Engineering Limited (defendant) FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 50029/04 COUNSEL : M.A Pembroke SC/D.R. Meltz (Plaintiff) Dr A.S Bell/ J.A.C Potts/ J.C Sheller (sol) (Defendant) SOLICITORS : Mallesons Stephen Jacques (Plaintiff) Clayton Utz (Defendant)