Africa Express Line Ltd v Socofi SA and Anr – QBD (Com Ct) (Christopher Clarke J) – 11 December 2009

Conflict of laws – Jurisdiction – Council Regulation EC No 44/2001 Article 23 – Whether parties to contract agreed English jurisdiction

The claimant (“AEL”) was a carrier operating refrigerated vessels on a liner service between West Africa and Europe. The first defendant (“Socofi”) was a French company that imported pineapples and other fruits from the Ivory Coast into Europe. The second defendant (“DAM”) was a fruit grower in the Ivory Coast. Mr Jacques Daudet (“Mr Daudet”) was the General Director of both Socofi and DAM.