Judgement of Lithuanian Supreme Court favourable to arbitration practice

The Supreme Court of Lithuania recently passed a judgment in favour of Imlitex, which was represented by SORAINEN. The Supreme Court overruled the ruling of the Lithuanian Court of Appeal, which had earlier annulled an award by Vilnius International and National Commercial Arbitration in favour of Imlitex, thus restoring the arbitration award to full effect. The Supreme Court ruling of 13 July 2012 is important not only for Imlitex but also for Lithuanian arbitration practice in general. The court has precluded the establishment of a precedent that enables an arbitration award to be overruled on the sole grounds of a dissenting opinion and arguments of one arbitrator. The Supreme Court also stated its position on a number of other procedural issues in arbitration: this is of great relevance in view of the rather scarce arbitration practice of the court of last resort.

Imlitex is one of the largest suppliers of specialised containers and packaging as well as raw materials for food, feeds, textiles and agriculture industries in Lithuania.

Partner Renata Beržanskienė and associate Gytis Malinauskas advised the client both in the arbitration and in the various stages of the court proceedings.

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