List of 2021 Arbitration Cases Decided by the Superior Courts in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is recognized as having one of the best bodies of decided cases on the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration in Africa. See Quentin Tannock, ‘Public Policy as a Ground for Setting Aside an Award: Is Zimbabwe out of Step?’ (2015) 74 Arbitration: The International Journal of Arbitration: Mediation and Dispute Management 72, 74.

Below is a structured list of the 2021 arbitration cases based on the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration decided by the superior courts of Zimbabwe, organized by the relevant Article.

High Court of Zimbabwe

Article 7 (Arbitration Agreement)

• UK Electrical (Pvt) Ltd v Commercial and Industrial Holdings (Pvt) Ltd HH 373-21

Article 8 (Arbitration Agreement and Substantive Claim before Court)

• Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation & Another v Jimbata (Pvt) Ltd HH 681-21

Article 9 (Arbitration Agreement and Interim Measures by Court)

• Probadeck Investments (Pvt) Ltd v Redwing Mining Company (Pvt) Ltd & Others HH 75-21

Article 16 (Competence of Arbitral Tribunal to Rule on its Jurisdiction)

• Article 16(1): Chartpril Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd & Others v Elnour United Engineering Group & Another HH 602-21
• Article 16(3): ZESA Holdings (Pvt) Ltd v Clovegate Elevator Company (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 635-21
• Article 16(3): Portnex International (Pty) Ltd v ZIMASCO (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 655-21

Article 19 (Determination of Rules of Procedure)

• Tomana & Another v Tian Ze Tobacco Company (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 653-21

Article 34 (Application for Setting Aside as Exclusive Recourse)

• Article 34(2)(b)(ii) [Public Policy]:
  • ZIMASCO (Pvt) Ltd v Portnex International (Pty) Ltd & Another HH 34-21
  • WAICA Reinsurance Corporation Plc v Ampalt Investments (Pvt) Ltd & Others HH 223-21
  • Riogold (Pvt) Ltd v Falcon Gold Zimbabwe Ltd & Another HH 258-21
  • Premium Leaf Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd v Kuaranda Farming (Pvt) Ltd & Others HH 455-21
  • Chartpril Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd & Others v Elnour United Engineering Group (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 602-21
  • Detergents, Edible Oil, Fats Employers Association v Detergents, Edible Oils, Fats Workers Union & Another HH 629-21
  • ZESA Holdings (Pvt) Ltd v Clovegate Elevator Company (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 635-21
  • Tomana & Another v Tian Ze Tobacco Company (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 653-21
  • Drax Consult SAGL v National Pharmaceutical Company (Pvt) Ltd HH 676-21
• Article 34(4) [Suspension of Setting Aside Proceedings]:
  • Chartpril Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd & Others v Elnour United Engineering Group (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 602-21

Supreme Court of Zimbabwe

Article 25 (Default of a Party)

• Article 25(c): Stonewell Searches (Pvt) Ltd v Stone Holdings (Pvt) Ltd & Others SC 22-21
• Article 25(d): Stonewell Searches (Pvt) Ltd v Stone Holdings (Pvt) Ltd & Others SC 22-21

Article 34 (Application for Setting Aside as Exclusive Recourse)

• Article 34(2)(b)(ii) [Public Policy]:
  • Adam & Company (Pvt) Ltd & Others v Good Living Real Estate (Pvt) Ltd SC 50-21

Article 35 (Recognition and Enforcement)

• Grain Marketing Board v Arenel (Pvt) Ltd & Another SC 30-21