The court rules on the recognition or enforcement of the award on a public hearing both when it grants and dismisses the motion (Supreme Court (Sąd Najwyższy) Civil Chamber Decision, Case No. I CSK 186/12 of January, 23 2013)

The phrase “the court rules on the recognition or enforcement of the award on a public hearing” refers not to the a type of the decision of the court but a type of case the court is deciding. Consequently, the court shall decide on the motion on a public hearing irrespectively of the type of the decision it is going to issue (both granting and dismissing the motion). If the court rules on a closed hearing instead of a public one, a party is deprived of its right to present the case, which leads to mistrial (art. 379 point 5 k.p.c.).

Consequently, the proceedings for the recognition of a foreign arbitral award should be conducted on the basis of the New York Convention with the supplementary application of k.p.c. As a result, the form requirements have to be taken from the New York Convention and not from art. 1162 k.p.c.

The lack of documents required by art. 1213 k.p.c. is a formal flaw of the motion, which can be cured by a party.

keywords
arbitration award
enforcement proceedings
judicial review
new york convention
official translation
polish arbitration law
recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards
review of arbitral award
right to be heard
state courts
about the authors

Kamil Zawicki is an attorney and partner at the Polish law firm of KKG Kubas, Kos, Gaertner, heading its “German Desk”. He has broad experience in litigation and arbitration. Mr. Zawicki’s areas of interest are mainly international business commercial law and Mergers & Acquisitions. He is the author of several publications on arbitration, insurance and re-insurance law and corporate law.

e-mail: kamil.zawicki@kkg.pl


Maciej Durbas, associate, KKG Kubas Kos Gaertner – Adwokaci


Kuba Gąsiorowski, associate, KKG Kubas Kos Gaertner – Adwokaci