Anti-Foreign-Suit Injunctions

• Author: José I. Astigarraga and Christopher C. Kokoruda
• Pages: 113-126

113

In today’s increasingly interconnected world, parties to inter national disputes at

times commence litigation in more than one jurisdiction. Such “parallel” pro-

ceedings often involve the same transaction, occ urrence, underlying facts, or

parties.

Initiating a parallel proceeding in a foreign jurisdiction can have strategic

value. For instance, a jud gment issued in a para llel proceeding (either in the United

States or in a foreig n jurisdiction) may be given res judicat a effect in a U.S. federal

court.1 A parallel proceedi ng may also bolster arguments for d ismissa l of the

U.S. case for forum non conveniens.2 As well, a parallel proceedi ng can serve a

*The views ex pressed herein are thos e of the authors individua lly and do not necessari ly

represent the v iews or opinions of Astig arraga Davis, any of it s clients, or the Miam i-

Dade County Attor ney’s Office.

**José I. Asti garraga is a found ing shareholder of the M iami firm A stigarraga Dav is. His

practice focu ses on international com mercial arbitrat ion and litigation. Mr. Ast igarraga

is a former Co-C hair of the ABA’s International A rbitration Committe e of the Section of

International Law.

***Chri stopher C. Kokoruda is an A ssistant County Attor ney at the Miami-Dade Cou nty

Attorney’s Off ice. Mr. Kokoruda is a member of the ABA S ection of Internationa l Law

and formerly prac ticed in internationa l litigation and ar bitration.

1. See Chi na Trade & Dev. Corp. v. M.V. Choon Yong, 837 F.2d 33, 36 (2d Cir. 1987)

(explaini ng that when a judgment is reac hed in a parallel proc eeding it “can be pled as res

judicata in the ot her”).

2. See, e.g., Laker Airways Ltd. v. Sabena, B elgian World Airlines, 731 F.2d 909, 928

(D.C. Cir. 1984) (explaini ng that parallel pro ceedings are properly con sidered in motions

for dismi ssal for forum non conveniens) (citin g Piper Aircraf t Co. v. Reyno, 454 U.S.

CHAPTER 10

Anti-Foreign-Suit Injunctions*

José I. Astigarraga** and Christopher C. Kokoruda***

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