Award Governed by Convention; Agreement to Arbitrate Existed, Federal Judge Rules

HOUSTON - A Texas federal judge has confirmed a $2 million arbitration award arising from a dispute involving a chemical purchase contract, ruling that the award fell within the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards and that an agreement to arbitrate existed between the parties. Tricon Energy Ltd. v. Vinmar International Ltd., No. 4:10-5260 (S.D. Texas).

On Sept. 21, Judge Lee H. Rosenthal of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas held that although both parties were United States citizens, the award falls under the Convention because the contract called for delivery of …