English Court May Hear International Coverage Battle

LONDON - The English High Court of Justice has jurisdiction over an insurance dispute between an French group of insurers and the London Market, an English judge ruled Oct. 22. Youell v. La Reunion Aerienne & Others, No. 1672 (Eng. Comm., Queen's Bench Div.).

Mr. Justice Tomlinson of the English Commercial Court, Queen's Bench Division added, however, that the French insurers may apply for a stay of proceedings pursuant to Section 9 of the English Arbitration Act 1996. Section 9 provides that, where a contract contains an arbitration clause, any court proceedings which are brought must be stayed unless the …