In an application for an anti-suit injunction before Freedman J brought by Rosenblatt client, Bilal Khalifeh, a Lebanese bank provided undertakings to the English Court which “effectively conceded” the prohibitory anti-suit injunction sought. A mandatory injunction, which was also sought, requiring the complete withdrawal of the Lebanese proceedings, was adjourned to the expedited trial of the matter in November this year. According to Joseph McCormick, a partner at Rosenblatt, the outcome reinforces the jurisdiction decision made in the same case in September 2020, to the effect that England is the proper forum for the resolution of the dispute.
Freedman J noted that there was “reason to be concerned about the allegations of vexatious and oppressive behaviour on the part of the Defendant” in bringing the Lebanese proceedings, which were issued in February 2021, despite the jurisdiction decision of the English Court. The bank undertook not to take any further steps in the Lebanese proceedings, including not to serve them on Mr Khalifeh, and not to relitigate the case in Lebanon following judgment in England.
Rosenblatt instructed Hugh Mercer QC (Essex Court Chambers) and Zahler Bryan (Serle Court) for the application. The case is Khalifeh v Blom Bank SAL [2021] EWHC 1502 (QB).
The full judgment can be found here.
