Uitspraak Nº C/13/593237 / HA ZA 15-807. Rechtbank Amsterdam, 2016-05-25

• ECLI: ECLI:NL:RBAMS:2016:2793
• Date: 25 Mayo 2016
• Docket Number: C/13/593237 / HA ZA 15-807
• Court: Rechtbank Amsterdam (Neederland)

vonnis

RECHTBANK AMSTERDAM

Afdeling privaatrecht

zaaknummer / rolnummer: C/13/593237 / HA ZA 15-807

Vonnis in incident van 25 mei 2016

in de zaak van

1. de naamloze vennootschap naar het recht van Curaçao

NELUX HOLDINGS INTERNATIONAL N.V.,

gevestigd te Curaçao,

2. de naamloze vennootschap naar het recht van Curaçao

LAWTON CORPORATION N.V.,

gevestigd te Curaçao,

eiseressen in de hoofdzaak,

verweersters in het incident,

advocaat: mr. B.F.H. Rumora-Scheltema te Amsterdam,

tegen

1 [gedaagde sub 1] ,

wonende te [woonplaats] , [land] ,

2. [gedaagde sub 2],

wonende te [woonplaats] , [land] ,

3. [gedaagde sub 3],

wonende te [woonplaats] , [land] ,

gedaagden in de hoofdzaak,

eisers in het incident,

advocaat: mr. M. Deckers te Amsterdam.

Partijen zullen hierna Nelux, Lawton en [gedaagden gezamenlijk] worden genoemd.

1 De procedure

1.1.

Het verloop van de procedure blijkt uit:

• -

  de dagvaarding van 3 juni 2015,

• -

  de akte houdende overlegging producties van 9 september 2015, aan de zijde van Nelux en Lawton,

• -

  de conclusie van antwoord waarin is verwoord de conclusie dat de rechtbank onbevoegd is om van de vorderingen van Nelux en Lawton kennis te nemen, met producties,

• -

  de akte houdende verzoek tot voortzetting van de hoofdzaak althans conclusie van antwoord in het incident,

• -

  proces-verbaal van het pleidooi in het incident van 30 maart 2016, met het daarin genoemde stuk.

1.2.

Ten slotte is vonnis bepaald in het incident.

2 Schets van de hoofdzaak

2.1.

Op of omstreeks 18 april 2012 is een document ondertekend namens Nelux, Lawton, [gedaagden gezamenlijk] en de heer [naam 1] . Dit document wordt hierna de Agreement genoemd. De Agreement (waarin [gedaagden gezamenlijk] worden aangeduid als ‘ [gedaagden gezamenlijk] ’) luidt voor zover hier van belang als volgt:

AGREEMENT TO SUBMIT DISPUTES TO ARBITRATION (“Agreement”)

(…)

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

In or about September 30, 2001 the Parties entered into a Forbearance and Settlement Agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”). Various disputes have arisen between the Parties relating to performance under the Settlement Agreement. The parties desire to have all these disputes resolved and settled by a third party arbitrator in whom both have confidence, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, do agree as follows:

1. Preliminary Statement Incorporated. The Preliminary Statement constitutes an integral part of this Agreement and is incorporated herein by this reference.

2. Submission of Dispute to Arbitration. Nelux/Lawton and [gedaagden gezamenlijk] each hereby agree to submit all disputes, controversies or claims arising out of or relating to the Settlement Agreement, (whether or not such disputes, controversies or claims are arbitrable under applicable law) to be finally settled by arbitration by [naam 1] , a member of the Israel and New York bars (the “Arbitrator”), on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. The award of the Arbitrator shall be final and binding upon the Parties and judgment upon such award may be entered in any court in Amsterdam having jurisdiction or application may be made to such a court for a judicial acceptance of such award and a judgment or order of enforcement, as the case may be. The Parties jointly and severally engage [naam 2] , Adv. of the law firm of Boekel De Neree N.V. together with such other attorneys and assistants from such firm as he may reasonably designate (collectively, “Judgment Counsel”) to represent them in connection with the application to be made to such a court for a judicial acceptance of such award and/or a judgment or order of enforcement, as the case may be. Arbitration hearings shall be held in Amsterdam and/or New York, at the election of the Arbitrator. The arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in the English language. The Arbitrator is authorized to act ex aequeo et bono (and/or use principles of equity). The rules governing the arbitration are set forth in Schedule A hereto and are incorporated by this reference.

3. Fees and Expenses. Each of Nelux/Lawton on the one hand and [gedaagden gezamenlijk] on the other hand, shall pay one-half of the Arbitrator’s compensation and the expenses of the arbitration. The Arbitrator may render periodic bills for same. Each of Nelux/Lawton on the one hand and [gedaagden gezamenlijk] on the other hand, shall each pay one -half of the fees and expenses of Judgment Counsel incurred in connection with the application for judicial acceptance of the afore mentioned arbitration award and/or a judgment or order of enforcement.

4. Prior Representation. The Parties acknowledge that Arbitrator has and, in the future, may represent the Parties or any of them (and/or their respective affiliates) in connection with various matters. Each of the Parties acknowledge that they have given due consideration to the fact of such prior representations and possibilities of future representations and each waive any challenge to the award of the Arbitrator based upon any prior or future relationship of any of the parties hereto or their affiliates with the Arbitrator. The parties each state that the fact that they each respectively have had prior relationships with the Arbitrator is a material reason for their selecting the Arbitrator to determine their dispute. The appointment of Arbitrator as the arbitrator hereunder and his actions hereunder shall not restrict, limit or prohibit the Arbitrator or his law firm from representing either [gedaagden gezamenlijk] and/or Nelux/Lawton and/or their respective affiliates as counsel in connection with any other matter. The appointment of Judgment Counsel hereunder and his/their actions hereunder shall not restrict, limit or prohibit Judgment Counsel from representing [gedaagden gezamenlijk] in connection with any other matter.

5. Consent to Jurisdiction. Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of the courts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located in Amsterdam for all purposes in connection with any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, the arbitration proceedings hereunder and any arbitration award hereunder and agrees that such courts are a convenient forum. The Parties each further consents that any summons, process or notice of motion or other application to any of said courts or a judge thereof may be served inside or outside of Amsterdam by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to a Party at its address set forth above or at such other address designated by a Party, or in such other manner as may be permissible under the rules of said court.

6. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

7. Section Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

(volgen handtekeningen namens Nelux, Lawton en [gedaagden gezamenlijk] - rechtbank)

By his signature below, the Arbitrator agrees to act as Arbitrator hereunder on the terms and conditions specified above.

(volgt de handtekening van [naam 1] - rechtbank)

(…)

2.1.1.

Artikel 2 van de Agreement refereert aan Schedule A. Schedule A luidt als volgt:

SCHEDULE A

ARBITRATION RULES

1 Jurisdiction

The arbitrator shall have the power to rule on his or her own jurisdiction, including any objections with respect to the existence, scope or validity of the arbitration agreement.

2 Exchange of Information

(a) At the discretion of the arbitrator, consistent with the expedited nature of arbitration, the arbitrator may direct (i) the production of documents and other information, and (ii) the identification of any witnesses to be called.

(b) At least five (5) business days prior to the hearing, the parties shall exchange copies of all exhibits they intend to submit at the hearing.

(c) The arbitrator is authorized to resolve any disputes concerning the exchange of information.

3 Date, Time, and Place of Hearing

The arbitrator shall set the date, time, and place for each hearing. The parties shall respond to requests for hearing dates in a timely manner, be cooperative in scheduling the earliest practicable date, and adhere to the established hearing schedule.

4 Attendance at Hearings

The arbitrator shall maintain the privacy of the hearings unless the law provides to the contrary. Any person having a direct interest in the arbitration is entitled to attend hearings. The arbitrator shall otherwise have the power to require the exclusion of any witness, other than a party or other essential person, during the testimony of any other witness. It shall be discretionary with the arbitrator to determine the propriety of the attendance of any other person other than a party and its representatives.

5 Representation

Initially the parties shall appear before the arbitrator without counsel. Thereafter if a party so desires it may be represented by counsel or other authorized representative. A party intending to be so represented shall notify the other party and the arbitrator of the name and address of the representative at least three days prior to the date set for the hearing at which that representative is first to appear.

6 Arbitration in the Absence of a Party or...