Powered by Lexis+®
Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Spanish court convicts Gonzalo Stampa of contempt in Sulu v Malaysia arbitration; US$14.9bn award and Paris seat at centre of political dispute

Published on: 10 January 2024

Published by a Law360 reporter
Legal News
Article summary

Malaysia confirmed that Stampa was convicted on 8 January 2024 by a Madrid court in criminal proceedings brought by the Spanish Public Prosecution Office and Malaysia. He was handed a six-month prison term, which has been suspended, and he is not expected to serve any time in custody. The charges arose from Stampa’s decision to continue acting as sole arbitrator in the dispute involving the Sulu claimants even after the Spanish courts set aside his appointment in 2021 over a service of process issue. He subsequently transferred the arbitration from Madrid to Paris and issued the award against Malaysia in early 2022. The 8 January 2024 conviction represents another stage in the increasingly contentious and high-profile dispute, which relates to an 1878 land agreement covering a portion of territory along the North Coast of Borneo in what is now Sabah, Malaysia. The area is noted for its natural resources, including oil. Court documents from Madrid were not immediately available on 8 January 2024. Reached by email, Stampa, founding partner of the Madrid-based arbitration firm Stampa Abogados, declined to comment at this stage of the proceedings...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Popular documents

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Read More Right Arrow

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Read More Right Arrow

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Read More Right Arrow

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...

Read More Right Arrow