The Maciej Rataj - Q.B.D. (Adm.Ct.) (Sheen J.) - 2 July 1991

Civil Jurisdiction Convention - Whether pre-emptive forum-shopping entitles defendants to stay of English proceedings

In September 1988 the Polish ship Tatry loaded a cargo of soyabean oil in Brazil for delivery at Rotterdam and Hamburg. Part of the cargo was discharged in Rotterdam on 1 October 1988; the balance was discharged at Hamburg on 4 October 1988. All the owners of the cargo complained that on delivery their cargo was contaminated with diesel oil.