Originally from International Arbitration Court Decisions - 3rd Edition

NETHERLANDS

JUDGMENTS RENDERED BY THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE HAGUE ON 27 MAY 2004 IN (1) CASE KG/RK 2002-979 AND 2003-1617 AND BY THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE HAGUE ON 24 MARCH 2005 IN (2) CASE 04/694 AND 04/695 (Marketing Displays International, Inc. v VR Van Raalte Reclame B.V.)

Subject Matters:
(1) Leave for enforcement under the New York Convention
(2) Article 81 EC (currently Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (“TFEU”)
(3) (International) public policy

Findings:
(1) The Court refused to grant leave for enforcement (exequatur) of three US arbitral awards, because these awards were considered incompatible with Article 81 EC [Article 101 TFEU].
(2) The Court applied the findings of Eco Swiss v Benetton to review the compatibility of the awards with EC competition law.
(3) The Court based its refusal on violation of public policy.

Parties:
Claimant: Marketing Displays International, Inc. (USA)
Claimant’s counsel in the district court proceedings: Mr. M. Aukema
Claimant’s counsel in the court of appeal proceedings: Mr. A.J. Braakman
Respondent: VR Van Raalte Reclame B.V. (The Netherlands)
Respondent’s counsel in the district court proceedings: Mr. P.A. Ruig
Respondent’s counsel in the court of appeal proceedings: Mr. P.A. Ruig

Place of court proceedings:
The Hague, Tthe Netherlands

Courts:
The District Court of The Hague, The Netherlands
The Court of Appeal The Hague, The Netherlands