CRIMINALIZATION OF CIVIL DISPUTES: NEED FOR CARE AND GUIDELINES
Legal Era|December 2019
The process of seeking to settle civil disputes and claims, by applying pressure by way of a criminal prosecution has the potential of having a cataclysmic effect on the economic system and will likely, adversely impact the atmosphere of investment and development
CRIMINALIZATION OF CIVIL DISPUTES: NEED FOR CARE AND GUIDELINES

A. Background

Picture the following scenario:

a) A (a foreign company) enters into an agreement with B (an Indian company) for development of certain infrastructure.

b) A proceeds with the contract.

c) Disputes arise between the parties.

d) A initiates arbitration for recovery of monies against B. The seat of arbitration is in India.

e) Arbitration proceedings are on. A’s witnesses are to be cross examined.

f) B files a criminal complaint with the police, alleging offenses under the Indian Penal Code on the facts/issues to be determined in arbitration. First Information Report (FIR) is registered. Police calls A’s Directors for investigation. These Directors are foreign nationals.

g) A concerned Director seeks legal advise. He is told that (i) he could be arrested; (ii) that if arrested, he would need to apply for bail; (iii) if granted bail, he could be told to deposit his passport and/or will be prevented from leaving the country till the trial is concluded; and (iv) anticipatory bail, even if granted, could lead to the imposition of terms similar to (iii) above.

h) The Director decides to leave India.

i) The cross-examinations are derailed at least for the time being. The lawyers of A are now receiving instructions via conference calls at an important stage of the arbitration.

j) The Directors of A file quashing petitions before the concerned High Court. The High Court issues notice and then there is a long gap of several years before the matter is taken up and decided.

k) In the meantime, A decides it has had enough. It settles the dispute with B and the criminal proceedings are withdrawn.

The above scenario is not a self-created one. It was a reality. And this is not the only one.

B. You Get What You Want

Denne historien er fra December 2019-utgaven av Legal Era.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra December 2019-utgaven av Legal Era.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA LEGAL ERASe alt
If You Think Positive Covid Is A Big Opportunity
Legal Era

If You Think Positive Covid Is A Big Opportunity

Senior Vice President and Head of Legal, ESSAR CAPITAL, Badrinath Durvasula, holds forth on his professional journey, the essence of leadership, working from home, books and more…

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 2020
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
Legal Era

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

JOINT VENTURE TRANSACTIONS

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 2020
NEW ARBITRATION RULES
Legal Era

NEW ARBITRATION RULES

PUBLISHED BY THE LONDON COURT OF INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION (LCIA) AND INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (ICC)

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2020
M&A in the time of COVID and beyond
Legal Era

M&A in the time of COVID and beyond

What is clear for those engaging in cross-border M&A is that countries around the world are becoming increasingly protective of their economies and industries, with new rules being introduced and existing rules being more widely applied

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2020
SWITZERLAND A DIFFERENTIATED APPROACH TO FRAUD
Legal Era

SWITZERLAND A DIFFERENTIATED APPROACH TO FRAUD

Swiss law interprets the offense of fraud in a special way where in addition to the characteristics of deception and damage as known in many jurisdictions, a qualified lie, i.e. a malicious approach, is required

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2020
JOINT VENTURE DISPUTES MEDIATING
Legal Era

JOINT VENTURE DISPUTES MEDIATING

Mediation has shown itself to be a powerful tool for bringing a speedy and effective end to crossborder disputes while preserving the commercial relationship between them.

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2020
Recognition of HONG KONG INSOLVENCY PROCEEDINGS IN MAINLAND CHINA
Legal Era

Recognition of HONG KONG INSOLVENCY PROCEEDINGS IN MAINLAND CHINA

A TEST CASE IN THE MAKING?

time-read
8 mins  |
December 2020
CONFIDENTIALITY IN ARBITRATION: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN SINGAPORE
Legal Era

CONFIDENTIALITY IN ARBITRATION: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN SINGAPORE

Two recent developments in Singapore case law and legislation reflect a willingness to preserve confidentiality related obligations in all arbitrations

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2020
ESSENTIAL GOODS SERVICES UNDER IBC
Legal Era

ESSENTIAL GOODS SERVICES UNDER IBC

WHAT DOES IT ESSENTIALLY MEAN?

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2020
A BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S NEW VISION FOR THE AMERICAN WORKPLACE
Legal Era

A BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S NEW VISION FOR THE AMERICAN WORKPLACE

A LOOK AT THE KEY CHANGES PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN IS LIKELY TO MAKE ONCE HE TAKES OFFICE

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2020