Kempinski Hotels SA v PT Prima International Development: Setting Aside Arbitration Award

In a judgment delivered on 19 July 2011, the Singapore High Court, presided over by Judith Prakash J, allowed the application by Kempinski Hotels SA to set aside the costs award made in arbitration proceedings between Kempinski Hotels SA and PT Prima International Development. The court's decision was based on the reasons set out in the judgment in Originating Summons No 903 of 2008.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Application allowed with costs

1.3 Case Type

Arbitration

1.4 Judgment Type

Judgment

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

The Singapore High Court set aside an arbitration costs award in favor of PT Prima International Development, siding with Kempinski Hotels SA.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
PT Prima International DevelopmentRespondent, DefendantCorporationCosts Award Set AsideLost
Kempinski Hotels SAApplicant, ClaimantCorporationApplication AllowedWon

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Judith PrakashJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Nicholas NarayananNicholas & Tan Partnership LLP
Jeffrey OngNicholas & Tan Partnership LLP
Jensen ChowRajah & Tann LLP
Adrian WongRajah & Tann LLP
Andrea BakerRajah & Tann LLP

4. Facts

  1. Kempinski Hotels SA applied to set aside three arbitration awards.
  2. The application concerned the fifth award dated 15 April 2009.
  3. The applicant was the claimant in the arbitration proceedings.
  4. The respondent was the defendant in the arbitration proceedings.
  5. The court relied on the judgment in OS 903 ([2011] SGHC 171) to set aside the Costs Award.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Kempinski Hotels SA v PT Prima International Development, Originating Summons No 766 of 2009, [2011] SGHC 173

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Proceedings filed by the applicant
Costs Award dated
Judgment reserved
Third interim award dated
Fourth interim award dated

7. Legal Issues

  1. Setting Aside Arbitration Award
    • Outcome: The court allowed the application to set aside the costs award.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Setting Aside of Arbitration Award

9. Cause of Actions

  • Setting Aside of Arbitration Award

10. Practice Areas

  • Arbitration
  • Commercial Litigation

11. Industries

  • Hospitality

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Originating Summons No 903 of 2008High CourtYes[2011] SGHC 171SingaporeThe Costs Award was set aside for the reasons set out in the judgment in Originating Summons No 903 of 2008.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
No applicable statutes

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Arbitration
  • Costs Award
  • Setting Aside
  • Arbitrator

15.2 Keywords

  • Arbitration
  • Setting Aside
  • Kempinski Hotels
  • PT Prima International Development
  • Singapore High Court

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Arbitration90
Costs80
Judgments and Orders50

16. Subjects

  • Arbitration