We reported earlier this year on a spate of recent court decisions in different jurisdictions giving support for the use of dispute adjudication boards (DABs). DABs can provide an effective means for parties to obtain interim binding decisions on disputes pending any final resolution by arbitration or litigation - applying a ‘pay now, argue later’ approach designed to keep long term projects on track and avoid disruption to cashflow.
However, enforcing DAB decisions is not always straightforward, as highlighted in the recent decision of the Singapore Court of Appeal in PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (Persero) TBK v CRW Joint Operation (which is likely to be influential in other jurisdictions). It now appears that the way should be clear for the contractor in that case to enforce the DAB's decision but it has taken him nearly seven years to reach this point. What lessons can be drawn from this saga? In our recent ebulletin, Mark Lloyd-Williams, Ann Levin and David Nitek, Partners in our London office, explore the details of the case and the salient take-away points.