High Court victory for Yorkshire law firm

LAW firm Andrew Jackson has won a decisive victory on behalf of Indian clients following an international dispute.

Two Indian-based coke producers, Ennore Coke and Haldia Coke brought claims against a Singapore-based company from which they purchased thousands of tonnes of coking coal.

The companies stated that the 50,000 tonnes of coal, which was shipped from China to India, failed to meet specifications, was of unsatisfactory quality and unfit for all purposes.

Dominic Ward, head of shipping and transport at Andrew Jackson, was first contacted by the clients in 2013 over various disputes with the Singapore-based supplier.

Mr Ward said: – “Had our client had prior knowledge that the coking coal was off-specification, the documents and the coking coal itself would have been rejected – and no monies would ever have been paid to the supplier.”

Three QCs ruled in favour of the client on an award dated March 2015, in the sum of US £1.17m.

Mr Ward added: “The seller claimed that the serious irregularity and legal error was that the parties had reached a ‘common ground’ in relation to the specification and quality of the coking coal, and that if the tribunal had proceeded in line with this common ground then it would have dismissed the claims. However, we argued that our client did not agree that any common ground had been reached and that whatever the merits of the seller’s claim in the appeal, it was time barred.”