On 20 December 2024, the Court of Appeal dismissed Spain’s appeal, rejecting its claim to immunity from a former employee’s allegations of discrimination and constructive dismissal at its UK embassy. Significantly, the Court held that embassy roles not involving sovereign authority are not immune under the SIA. It also allowed the Claimant, a dual Spanish … Continue reading “The Kingdom of Spain v Lydia Lorenzo [2024] EWCA Civ 1602”

The Court of Appeal addressed issues of sovereign immunity and the methods of service of court documents in foreign jurisdictions. The court upheld that President Filipe Nyusi, as the current Head of State of Mozambique, was entitled to immunity from jurisdiction under the State Immunity Act 1978. Additionally, the court examined whether service of the … Continue reading “Privinvest Shipbuilding Sal (Holding) and Others v Filipe Jacinto Nyusi [2024] EWCA Civ 184”

*An appeal from this decision was heard by the Supreme Court on 6 November 2024 and a decision is awaited. The Court of Appeal (Civil Division) dismissed an appeal by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia (Cultural Bureau) against an Employment Tribunal decision rejecting their claim of state immunity in a discrimination case. The appellant … Continue reading “Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia (Cultural Bureau) v Antoinette Costantine [2024] EWCA Civ 332”

The dispute involved Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co Ltd (“Zhongshan”), a Chinese company, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria (“Nigeria”). Zhongshan sought to enforce an arbitration award amounting to approximately US$55.6 million against Nigeria. To satisfy this award, Zhongshan applied for final charging orders over two residential properties in Liverpool owned by Nigeria. Background: Zhongshan … Continue reading “Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd. v The Federal Republic of Nigeria [2024] EWHC 1503 (Comm)”