Dera Commercial Estate v Derya Inc (The “Sur”) – QBD (Comm Ct) (Carr J) [2018] EWHC 1673 (Comm) – 13 July 2018

Arbitration – Delay – Whether arbitration tribunal entitled to strike out proceedings for inordinate and inexcusable delay – Serious irregularity – Whether tribunal guilty of apparent bias

Disputes arose relating to cargo carried onboard the vessel Sur under a bill of lading governed by the Hague Rules. On 16 September 2011 the defendant shipowners (the owners) appointed an arbitrator . On 7 October 2011 (within the one-year time limit provided by article III, rule 6 of the Hague Rules) the claimant cargo interests (Dera) appointed an arbitrator.