Globalink Transportation and Logistics Worldwide LLP v DHL Project & Chartering Ltd – QBD (Comm Ct) (Nicholas Vineall QC sitting as a Deputy Judge of the High Court) [2019] EWHC 225 (Comm) – 19 February 2019

Practice – Set-off – Freight forwarder claiming sumsdue from principal – Principal admitting claim but setting up cross claim fordamages for breach of contract – Whether freight forwarder’s claims were forfreight – Whether “no set-off” rule applied to principal’s cross claim –Whether freight forwarder entitled to summary judgment

Thedefendant (DHL) was engaged by a client to arrange the transport of units ofplant from China to a refinery nearAtyrau in Kazakhstan. The units were carried by sea from China to Novorossiysk.DHL engaged the claimant freight forwarder (Globalink) to transport the units fromNovorossiysk to the refinery.