Settebello Ltd. v. Banco Totta & Acores - Court of Appeal (Sir John Donaldson M.R., Neill L.J. and Sir John Megaw) - 19 June 1985

Portuguese decree/law depriving plaintiff of remedy under shipbuilding contract - Whether Court will assist plaintiff in obtaining evidence as to motives of Portuguese legislators

The plaintiff buyers entered into an agreement with Portuguese shipbuilders for the building of a very large tanker. The contract provided that if the vessel was not ready for delivery by 30 April 1982 the plaintiffs would be entitled to cancel the contract. Upon such cancellation all advance payments of the purchase price would be repayable with interest.