The ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict is restricting shipping, energy, and payment conditions throughout the Gulf. Construction projects in the Middle East are already experiencing impacts on procurement, scheduling, cash flow, and claims. When construction clients discuss the U.S.-Iran war, the conversation quickly turns to practical issues. They are less worried about geopolitics and more focused on […]
State Immunity and ICSID Awards: The UK Supreme Court Joins International Consensus on Enforcement
On 4 March 2026, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (the “Supreme Court”) held in Kingdom of Spain v Infrastructure Services Luxembourg S.À.R.L. and Republic of Zimbabwe v Border Timbers Ltd that Spain and Zimbabwe (the “States”) could not invoke state immunity to resist the registration in England of ICSID awards rendered against them. The […]
Singapore’s High Court Rejects Spain’s State Immunity Defence (NextEra Energy v Spain [2026] SGHC 43)
In NextEra Energy Global Holdings B.V. and NextEra Energy Spain Holdings B.V. v Kingdom of Spain [2026] SGHC 43 (“NextEra v Spain”), the High Court of Singapore held that Spain was not entitled to state immunity in proceedings to register and enforce an award rendered under the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between […]
Devas v. Antrix: Dutch Enforcement and the Limits of Seat-Based Annulment
With the Dutch Supreme Court’s 6 March 2026 dismissal of Antrix’s cassation challenge, attention has once again turned to one of the most closely watched India-linked arbitration disputes in recent years. The dismissal leaves in place the Hague Court of Appeal’s 17 December 2024 judgment in Devas Multimedia America Inc. v. Antrix Corporation Ltd., permitting […]
The Iran Conflict and Arbitration Disputes
In addition to its human toll, the current conflict involving Iran creates immediate commercial and legal challenges for companies operating in the Middle East. It directly affects contract performance, payment flows, shipping, energy supply and dispute resolution. In sectors such as energy, infrastructure, commodities and maritime transport, these impacts are already tangible, appearing in delayed […]