Jurisdiction: conflicting clauses

In AIG Europe SA and Others v John Wood Group plc and Another [2022] EWCA Civ 781 the Court of Appeal has upheld the decision of Jacobs J, [2021] EWHC 2567 (Comm). Here, insurers sought anti-suit injunctions against policyholders who had commenced judicial proceedings in Alberta allegedly in breach of jurisdiction and arbitration provisions in the various policies that constituted the policyholders’ “Insurance Tower”. The case turned on established principles, but the matter was complicated by the existence of inconsistent provisions in the contracts.

The facts