仲裁裁決的三個月法定撤銷期限不因存在欺詐而延長(新加坡案例)
2020年1月3日,在Bloomberry Resorts and Hotels Inc and another vGlobal Gaming Philippines LLC and another [2020] SGHC 01一案中,(判決請見:閱讀原文)新加坡高等法院裁定《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第34條第3款規定的三個月時效是絕對的,不可延長。即便新加坡《國際仲裁法》第24條對于《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第34條而言是特殊法,該條規定的基于欺詐的撤裁申請沒有規定時效,但是第34條第3款規定的三個月時效依然適用于《國際仲裁法》第24條。此外,本案法院裁定,即便一方當事人存在欺詐行爲隱瞞證據,只要該欺詐沒有嚴重到實質影響裁決,則裁決也不一定會被撤銷。
一、背景介紹
原告Bloomberry Resorts和第一被告GGAM于2011年訂立《管理服務協議》, GGAM隨後轉讓了其所有權利于第二被告GGAM Netherlands。之後,原告試圖終止《管理服務協議》,而被告根據《管理服務協議》,中的仲裁協議提起仲裁。仲裁庭裁定被告沒有針對《管理服務協議》的因果欺詐或虛假陳述,以及原告終止了《管理服務協議》不合理,屬于違約。
裁決作出後很久原告發現被告在仲裁中援引的證據被證明是錯誤的,而且被告明知這點。證明欺詐這點的證據主要是裁決作出很長一段時間之後美國政府向公衆披露的美國司法部與LVA之間不起訴協議和美國證券交易委員會對LVS的停止和終止訴訟程序令(二者合稱FCPA調查結果。)原告主張被告隱瞞證據或僞證這構成程序欺詐,另一方面即使該證據在裁決作出後才出現,FCPA調查也是被告欺詐的新證據。因此,原告主張新證據有助于證明裁決是基于故意隱瞞證據而導致的錯誤或不完整事實,而新證據若早先就出現則會影響原告提出主張的方式。
因而原告依照該點提起撤裁申請,但是已經超過了《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第34條第3款的三個月期限很久。
新加坡屬于聯合國國際貿易法委員會(UNCITRAL)的《國際仲裁示範法》法域,並將該示範法納入進了新加坡《國際仲裁法》。然而,《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第34條第3款規定有三個月期限,但是新加坡《國際仲裁法》第24條是關于基于欺詐、腐敗及自然公正的撤裁規定,其中沒有明確規定時效,並且明確指出其相對于《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第34條而言是特殊法,而且當事人也可能依照該條申請撤裁。原告申請依照《國際仲裁法》第24條基于欺詐、腐敗、以及公共秩序而撤裁,並且主張《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第34條第3款規定有三個月期限不適用于《國際仲裁法》第24條。
此外,由于原告還提出有關的欺詐的事實,申請法院依照《法院規則》O.3 r.4(1)對于撤銷執行裁決令的時限進行延期,並且依照與撤裁理由相同的理由申請拒絕承認和執行裁決。
二、法院認定
1、有關法律規定
《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第34條規定
Article 34. Application for setting aside as exclusive recourse against arbitral award
(1) Recourse to a court against an arbitral award may be made only by an application for setting aside in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3) of this article.
(2) An arbitral award may be set aside by the court specified in article 6 only if: ……
(3) An application for setting aside may not be made after three months have elapsed from the date on which the party making that application had received the award or, if a request had been made under article 33, from the date on which that request had been disposed of by the arbitral tribunal.
……
第34條.申請撤銷,作爲不服仲裁裁決的唯一追訴
(1) 不服仲裁裁決而向法院提出追訴的唯一途徑是依照本條第(2)和(3)款的規定申請撤銷。
(2) 有下列情形之一的,仲裁裁決才可以被第6條規定的法院撤銷:……
(3) 當事人在收到裁決書之日起三個月後不得申請撤銷裁決;已根據第33條提出請求的,從該請求被仲裁庭處理完畢之日起三個月後不得申請撤銷。
……
Article 36. G rounds for refusing recognition or enforcement
(1) Recognition or enforcement of an arbitralaward, irrespective of the country in which it was made, may be refused only:……
(a) at the request of the party against whom it is invoked, if that party furnishes to the competent court where recognition or enforcement is sought proof that: ……
(ii) the party against whom the award is invoked was not given proper notice of the appointment of an arbitrator or of the arbitral proceedings or was otherwise unable to present his case; or……
(b) if the court finds that: ……
(ii) the recognition or enforcement of the award would be contrary to the public policy of this State.
……
第36條.拒絕承認或執行的理由
(1) 仲裁裁決不論在何國境內作出,僅在下列任何情形下才可拒絕予以承認或執行:……
(a) 援用的裁決所針對的當事人提出如此請求,並向被請求承認或執行的管轄法院提出證據,證明有下列任何情況:……
(ii) 未向援用的裁決所針對的當事人發出指定仲裁員的適當通知或仲裁程序的適當通知,或因他故致使其不能陳述案情;或……
(b) 法院認定有下列任何情形:……
(ii) 承認或執行該裁決與本國的公共政策相抵觸。
……
《國際仲裁法》第24條規定:
24. Notwithstanding Article 34(1) of the Model Law,the High Court may, in addition to the grounds set out in Article 34(2) of the Model Law, set aside the award of the arbitral tribunal if —
(a) the making of the award was induced or affected by fraud or corruption; or
(b) a breach of the rules of natural justice occurred in connection with the making of the award by which the rights of any party have been prejudiced.
24.盡管有《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第34條第1款的規定,但在以下情況下,除《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第34條第2款規定的理由外,高等法院可以撤銷仲裁庭的裁決:
(a)由于欺詐或腐敗引起或影響而作出裁決;或
(b)在作出裁決時發生了違反自然公正規則的行爲,損害了任何一方的權利。
《法院規則》O.3 r.4(1)
The Court may, on such terms as it thinks just, by order extend or abridge the period within which a person is required or authorised by these Rules or by any judgment, order or direction, to do any act in any proceedings.
法院可以按照其認爲公正的期限,通過命令延長或縮短本規則或任何判決、命令或指示要求或授權某人在任何法律程序中采取任何行動的期限。
2、《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第34條與《國際仲裁法》第24條
新加坡法院之前在ABC Co v XYZ Co Ltd [2003] 3 SLR(R) 546 案,PT Pukuafu Indah and others v Newmont Indonesia Ltd and another [2012] 4 SLR 1157案,以及 Astro Nusantara International BV and others v PTAyunda Prima Mitra and others [2013] 1 SLR 636案中裁定第34條第3款中的“不得”(may not)一詞具有強制性,將絕對時效設定爲自收到裁決之日起三個月,此後所有撤裁措施則被禁止,而這種絕對時效是爲了維持裁決的終局性和法律確定性。(The words “may not” in Art 34(3) have been held to be mandatory in meaning by setting an absolute time limit of three months beginning from the date of receipt of the award, after which all recourse against the award is barred. Such an absolute time limit recognises the need for finality and legal certainty.)
香港法院在Sun Tian Gang v Hong Kong & China Gas (Jilin) [2016] HKCFI 1611案中裁定,《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》並未排除法院對撤裁的申請程序進行管制的權力,因此,法院有權根據《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第34條第3款行使裁量權裁定延長時效。在本案中,香港法院將“可以”(may)解釋爲允許,因此“不得”(may not)被解釋爲不可以,但是並非不必須。然而,在BXS v BXT案和本案中,新加坡法院選擇不遵循香港的Sun Tian Gang案,並認爲香港法院對“不得”(may not)的解釋過于寬容,這是不正確的,因爲與第34條第2款中的“可以”(may)一詞相比,第34條第3款中的“不得”(may not)爲兩詞,二者含義不同。本案主要的依據爲BXS v BXT案,在該案中新加坡法院指出,第34條第2款中“可以”一詞僅爲法院在已經確立了第34條第2款第a項第i至iv目或第b項第i至ii目中的一個或多個條件時,仍然有不撤銷裁決的裁量權。因此,第34條第2款中的“可以”(may)一詞與第34條第3款中的“不得”(may not)一詞沒有邏輯上的關系。(Sun Tian Gang held that the Model Law does not preclude the court from regulating the procedure of applications to set aside awards, and therefore the court has the discretion to grant an extension of time under Art 34(3) (at [90]). Like Reyes IJ, I am unpersuaded by the court’s reasoning in Sun Tian Gang which starts with and draws support from the court’s permissive interpretation of the word “may” in Art 34(2) of the Model Law to give a similar permissive interpretation to the words “may not” in Art 34(3).Such an interpretation cannot be correct. A different meaning is convey by the single word “may” in Art 34(2) as compared to the words “may not” in the context of Art 34(3).)
依照ABC v XYZ案,第34條第3款所要表達的僅爲自指定日期起三個月後不得提出撤裁申請。盡管使用的詞語是“不得”(may not),但必須解釋爲“不能”(cannot),理由是這樣做的目的顯然是對裁決的異議時效進行限制,而且三個月的時效是絕對的。這種解釋得到了與《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》起草材料((A/40/17, 3–21 June 1985)的支持。三個月期限屆滿後,法院將無法受理任何提出的申請,因爲第34條爲在法院審理撤裁的完整唯一的依據,而其中並沒有規定延長時效,而且由于法院僅依據該條即有管轄權審理有關申請,因此沒有延長時效的規定即意味著法院無延長時效的權力。因此,新加坡法的立場是《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第34條第3款的時效是嚴格的,給予仲裁裁決的終局性和法律確定性以更大的權重(In the context of Art 34(3), the words “may not” take on a mandatory meaning of “cannot”. As Judith Prakash J (as she then was) held in ABC v XYZ(at [9]): All [Art 34(3)] says is that [an] application [to set aside] may not be made after the lapse of three months from a specified date. Although the words used are ‘may not’ these must be interpreted as ‘cannot’ as it is clear that the intention is to limit the time during which an award may be challenged. This interpretation is supported by material relating to the discussions amongst the drafters of the Model Law. It appears to me that the court would not be able to entertain any application lodged after the expiry of the three-month period as art 34 has been drafted as the all-encompassing, and only, basis for challenging an award in court. It does not provide for any extension of the time period and, as the court derives its jurisdiction to hear the application from the article alone, the absence of such a provision means the court has not been conferred with the power to extend time.)。
法院注意到,盡管國家立法可以修改《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第34條第3款的時效,但是與馬來西亞、新西蘭和愛爾蘭等示範法法域不同,新加坡並未明確允許延長第34條第3款規定的三個月期限,或給予其他例外。此外,新加坡《國際仲裁法》中沒有規定從發現欺詐或隱瞞證據或發現新事實或事後證據之日起來計算第34條第3款的期限。
在本案中,新加坡接受了仲裁勝訴方對《國際仲裁法》第24條中的“盡管有《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第34條第1款的規定”的解釋,這意味著該語句必須與“除《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第34條第2款規定的理由外”一同理解,而這意味著,《國際仲裁法》第24條項下的撤裁的申請仍受第34條第3款規定的三個月時效的限制。新加坡法院的理由是,第34條第3款規定的三個月期限是嚴格的,這有利于仲裁裁決的終局性和法律確定性。《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》的起草者認爲,欺詐賄賂或腐敗案件應受《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第34條第3款的嚴格時效限制(the three-month time limit in Art 34(3) is strict, favouring the policy of finality of arbitral awards and legal certainty. The drafters of the Model Law decided that cases of fraud, bribery or corruption should be subject to the strict time limit in Art 34(3) of the Model Law)。因此對于撤銷以欺詐方式獲得的仲裁裁決和/或在裁決作出後才發現新的事實或證據的情況而言,由國家法律決定到底是采用第34條第3款規定的時效還是單獨規定時效(it is left to national laws to decide whether to adopt the time limit set out in Art 34(3) or to provide separate time limits for setting aside of fraudulently obtained arbitral awards and/or for the situation where there is subsequent discovery of new facts or evidence post award)。
對于欺詐,賄賂或腐敗案件而言,其屬于公共政策的範圍,是根據第34條第2款第b項第ii目的撤裁的理由,而且該理由的三個月期限也不例外(It is not disputed that cases of fraud, bribery or corruption fall within the ambit of public policy as a ground for setting aside under Art 34(2)(b)(ii) and there is no exception to the three-month time limitf or this ground.)。因此,如果根據第34條第2款第a項第ii目和第34條第2款第b項第i目提出撤裁申請,則存在不可延期的三個月時效。但是,如果根據《國際仲裁法》第24條提出的撤裁的適用時效適用《法院規則》O 69A 第2(4)條,而法院可根據《法院規則》O 3第4(1)條和O 92第4條行使裁量權延長該時效以防止不公正,則這將在時效期限的法律範圍方面造成內部不一致,使得當事人則可以根據《國際仲裁法》第34條第2款和第24條主張欺詐違反公共政策爲由申請撤裁。如果將《國際仲裁法》第24條中的“盡管有《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第34條第1款的規定”解釋爲排除《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第34條第3款規定的期限,則將導致上述不一致。新加坡議會的立法意思不可能支持如此一個不協調和荒謬的結果,即當事人受到《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第34條第2款規定的不可延長的三個月時效限制的同時卻可以通過適用《國際仲裁法》第24條而繞開該規定((a) there is a non-extendable three-month time limitation if recourse against an arbitral award is brought under Art34(2)(a)(ii) and Art 34(2)(b)(ii); and (b) the applicable time limit for an application to set aside an arbitral award under s 24 of the IAA is governed by O 69A r 2(4) of the ROC and this procedural time limit is extendable subject to the court’s general discretion under O 3 r 4(1) and O 92 r 4 of the ROC to prevent injustice. The inconsistency as described will result if the opening words “[n]otwithstanding Article 34(1) of the Model Law” in s 24 of the IAA are construed to have the effect of carving out the time limit in Article 34(3) fors 24 grounds. Parliament could not have intended for such an incongruous and absurd result whereby parties restricted by the non-extendable three-month time limitation under Art 34(2) of the Model Law would be able to circumvent the time bar requirement by resorting to the grounds set out in s 24 of the IAA.)。
新加坡議會的立法意思必然不是讓《國際仲裁法》第24條第a款項下的欺詐或腐敗案件不受《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第34條第3款規定的三個月時效的限制,特別是在《國際仲裁法》第24條第b款規定了寬泛的違反自然正義規則的情形時,因爲這些情形會與《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第34條第2款第a項第ii目的“致使其不能陳述案情”有很大重疊。
因此,根據《國際仲裁法》第24條提出的申請必須適用《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第34條第3款的三個月的絕對時效期限,這有利于仲裁裁決的終局性。
3、對于撤銷執行裁決令的時限的延期
原告還申請法院根據《法院規則》 O.3 第4(1)條行使其裁量權以延長執行該裁決的期限。法院指出,該條中“其認爲公正的期限”賦予法院裁量權以延長期限以便實現個案公正。通常要考慮的因素包括:(a)延誤的長度;(b)延誤的原因;(c)若延長上訴期限則違約方勝訴機會的大小;(d)若允許延長期限則將對被訴人産生的損害程度。(The words “such terms as it thinks just” gives the court discretion to grant time extension in order to achieve justice in the circumstances of the case. Generally, the factors the court takes into consideration in deciding whether to grant an extension of time are: (a) the length of delay; (b) the reasons for delay; (c) the chances of the defaulting party succeeding on appeal if the time for appealing were extended; and (d) the degree of prejudice to the would-be respondent if the extension of time were granted: see Sun Jin Engineering Pte Ltd v Hwang Jae Woo [2011] 2 SLR 196 at [29]; AD v AE [2004] 2 SLR(R) 505 at [10]) with the courts generally focusing on the first two: Falmac Ltd v Cheng Ji Lai Charlie and another matter [2014] 4 SLR 202 at [14].)
本案法院參考了香港法院的Astro Nusantara International B.V. and Others v PT First Media TBK [2018]HKCFA 12案,而在該案中的期限逾時14個月,但香港終審法院仍然允許延長期限,理由是雖然延遲14個月很嚴重,但考慮到這對對方沒有任何實質性的損害(除了費用),因此拒絕延期將導致被告在喪失機會來陳述對于其申請具有決定性優勢的論點。(In Astro Nusantara International B.V. and others v PT First Media TBK [2018] HK CFA12 (“Astro Nusantara International B.V.”), the Court of Final Appeal of Hong Kong allowed an extension of time notwithstanding the fact that the order granting leave to enforce was set aside 14 months out of time. While the court noted that the delay of 14 months was substantial, it took into consideration the fact that the opposing party had not suffered any substantial prejudice (other than costs) and to refuse extension would be to “deny First Media a hearing where its application has decisively strong merits” (at [87]).)
法院指出,雖然延誤的期限長短是一個因素,但重點是延誤的原因,即裁決作出後發現新證據。法院指出,鑒于本案的情況,應允許原告提出延期申請中所述的欺詐主張,而不涉及實質性審理中該欺詐主張是否可能成功。這種做法對被告造成最低限度的損害,也符合司法的總體利益。(…given the circumstances of the present case, the plaintiffs ought to be allowed to assert the allegations of fraud as put forward in the application for time extension without reference to the further point of whether they are likely to succeed or not at the substantive hearing.This approach is in the overall interest of justice having regard also to the minimal prejudice caused to the defendants.)。
4、基于欺詐和新證據的撤裁申請和拒絕執行裁決申請
原告申請依照《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第36條第1款第a項第ii目的未能陳述其主張,以及第36條第1款第b項第ii目規定的公共政策作爲依據,提請法院審理撤裁申請和/或拒絕執行裁決申請。
關于這點,法院認爲,在本案中原告主張欺詐的唯一目的是將使用作公共政策以撤裁和/或拒絕執行裁決。盡管存在公共政策例外,但法院不會在沒有充分理由的情況下幹預仲裁的終局性,而且法院必須確信,在公共政策方面存在著某種形式的應受譴責或不合情理的行爲而對裁決的作出産生了實質性的或重要的影響。在本案中,《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第36條第1款第b項第ii目下的公共政策與原告的欺詐主張息息相關。如果欺詐未得到證實,則法院的調查結束,並且拒絕執行裁決的申請失敗。同樣,原告主張其沒有機會陳述其主張而依照第36條第1款第a項第ii目的結果也取決于該欺詐主張,如果不能證明欺詐則也會同樣失敗。(In this case, the only purpose of the plaintiffs’ allegations of fraud is to use fraud under public policy considerations as a defence to resist the recognition or enforcement of the Partial Award and to set aside the enforcement orders. Whilst public policy exception exists to prevent enforcement in appropriate cases, proving the defence of violation of public policy based on the ground of fraud presents legal and evidentiary challenges that require the court to go behind a valid award. At any rate, the court will not disturb the principles of finality in arbitration without good reason; the court has to be satisfied that some form of reprehensible or unconscionable conduct that is within the spectrum of gravity of public policy considerations had contributed in a material way to procuring the Partial Award or had an important influence on the result. In this case, the public policy question under Art 36(1)(b)(ii) of Model Law hinges on the plaintiffs’ allegations of fraud. If fraud is not proved, that is the end of the inquiry and the application to resist enforcement of the Partial Award fails. Likewise, the outcome of the plaintiffs’ reliance on Art 36(1)(a)(ii) (ie, no opportunity to present their case), which also hinges of the same allegations of fraud, would be the same if fraud is not proved.)
關于基于公共政策的撤裁,雖然“公共政策”一詞是開放式的,在《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》或《國際仲裁法》中均未受到定義,但有關新加坡政策公共範圍的判例法應狹窄地定義,因此其門檻很高。新加坡上訴法院在PT Asuransi Jasa Indonesia (Persero) v Dexia BankSA [2007] 1 SLR(R) 597案中裁定,當維持裁決將“震驚良知”,或“對于公共良知而言明顯不公,完全冒犯普通的合理和觀念正常的公衆”或“違反法院地最基本的道德和正義概念”時才得援引公共政策依據。盡管該案涉及根據《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第34條提出的撤裁申請,但其中的定義和原則也適用于目前根據第36條拒絕執行裁決的情況。上訴法院在AJU v AJT [2011] 4 SLR 739案中也提出了類似的意見,其中指出,針對外國裁決的撤銷制度和拒絕執行制度中的公共政策是相同的。同樣,根據《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第36條第1款第b項第ii目,在這方面國內和國際仲裁裁決的執行機制也不應有任何區別。(While the term “public policy” appears open-ended and is undefined in either the Model Law or the IAA, case law on the scope of the public of policy of Singapore is that it should be construed narrowly and consequently, the threshold for resisting enforcement of an award is a high one. The Court of Appeal in PT Asuransi Jasa Indonesia (Persero) v Dexia Bank SA [2007] 1 SLR(R) 597 (“PT Asuransi”) held that the public policy ground is invoked when the upholding of the award would “shock the conscience” or is “clearly injurious to the public good or … wholly offensive to the ordinary reasonable and fully informed member of the public” or “where it violates the forum’s most basic notion of morality and justice” (at [59]). While PT Asuransi concerns a setting aside application under Art 34 of the Model Law, the definition and principles therein also apply to the present case of resisting enforcement under Art 36 of the Model Law. A similar observation has been made by the Court of Appeal in AJU v AJT [2011] 4 SLR 739 (“AJU v AJT”) where it was stated that the question of public policy under both the setting aside regime and the enforcement regime for foreign arbitral awards is the same (at [34]). Likewise, there should be no difference in the enforcement regime for domestic international arbitral awards under Art 36(1)(b)(ii) of the Model Law.)
法院認爲,根據《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第36條第1款第b項第ii目的規定,無論是實體性欺詐還是程序性欺詐,通常都屬于違反公共政策,並且在涉嫌欺詐的情況下,當事人必須提出強有力的證據才行,因爲法院不會作欺詐的推斷認定。本案的特別之處在于,原告主張的存在欺詐的證據在仲裁時並不存在。法院采納了該新證據,並在有關僞證和隱瞞證據方面,以及有關不披露或隱藏重要文件方面的法律原則(Swiss Singapore and Dongwoo Mann+Hummel Co Ltd vMann+Hummel Gmbh [2008] 3 SLR(R) 871案, BVU v BVX [2019] SGHC 69案,以及Elektrim SA v Vivendi Universal SA [2007] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 693),指出程序欺詐共有的三個核心要素:(a)不誠實或惡意;(b)新證據對仲裁庭決定而言的重要性;(c)在程序早期無法獲取該等證據。
法院認爲,原告主張的隱瞞信息不成立,而且其主張的程序欺詐缺乏實質性要求,即本案涉案欺詐不會嚴重影響裁決。特別是在欺詐對于裁決的影響方面,法院指出,並非任何欺詐案件都會使判決或裁決受到影響。即便在證明欺詐的情況下,欺詐與公共政策爲之間也必須有足夠的聯系。依照Sinocore International Co Ltd v RBRG Trading (UK)Ltd [2019] 1 All ER (Comm) 810,其標准表明,欺詐並不能毀壞所有結果,並且與實質性和“致使聯系”的概念無異。(Not any or every case of fraud would impugn ajudgment or award. As alluded earlier, even where fraud is proven, there must be sufficient degree of connection between the fraud and the award that is being enforced for the ground of public policy under Art 36(1)(b)(ii) of the Model Law to be engaged: The English decision in Sinocore International Co Ltd v RBRG Trading (UK) Ltd [2019] 1 All ER (Comm) 810 (“Sinocore”) is illustrative. This degree of connection test demonstrates that fraud does not unravel all and is in substance no different from the concepts of materiality and “causative link” adverted to….”)而本案中,所謂的程序欺詐與裁決之間沒有足夠的聯系,不能說FCPA調查結果重要到以至于若早點發現則會導致仲裁員裁決申請人勝訴,因此有充分的理由不披露與FCPA調查結果有關的信息。(In sum, there is no sufficient degree of connection between the alleged procedural fraud and the Partial Award and it also cannot be said that the FCPA Findings were so material that earlier discovery would have prompted the arbitrator to rule in favour of the applicant: Elektrim (see[105]–[106] above). It follows also from the foregoing analysis that there wasa good reason for nondisclosure of the information relating to the FCPA Findings.)。不能說FCPA調查結果對仲裁中因因果欺詐問題和終止問題而提出的論點或仲裁將以完全不同的方式進行而言,有任何實質性影響(it cannot be said that the FCPA Findings have any material effect on either the arguments that were advanced in the Arbitration as to the Causal Fraud Issue and Termination Issue, or that the Arbitration would have proceeded differently altogether)。
關于原告未能提出其主張的問題,法院認爲,原告主張的是其被剝奪提出另一種主張的機會,而非其被剝奪提出主張的機會,這與《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第36條第1款第a項第ii目無關。
因此法院駁回原告的撤裁和申請拒絕執行裁決主張。
三、評論
在《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》與當地根據示範法而進行的立法文本之間的關系方面,香港法院對涉案條文的觀點爲,《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》規定的“可以”(may)與“不得”(may not)二者都涉及“may”,因此未明確排除法院對撤裁的申請程序進行管制的權力,因而法院享有這方面的裁量權根據具體情況作出具體處理。然而,即便如此,新加坡並未遵循其觀點,並認爲“可以”(may)與“不得”(may not)二者沒有邏輯上的關系,並且“不得”(may not)具有強行性,因此三個月的時效期間是強制的。這就導致了即使《國際仲裁法》第24條沒有規定時效期間,但《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》的三個月期間的強制性並不改變。若將《國際仲裁法》第24條與《UNCITRAL國際仲裁示範法》第34條切割開來解釋,認爲基于欺詐、腐敗、自然正義及公共政策提出的撤裁申請不受時效限制的話,則會導致立法意旨內部産生沖突,這不符合議會的立法本意,因而三個月的強制期限也適用于《國際仲裁法》第24條。然而,對于在本案中這種裁決作出很長一段時間之後一方當事人才得知存在欺詐的情形,並且立法沒有對此作出明確規定的情況下,這種強制適用強制的三個月期限的作法的合理性值得進一步研究。
此外,在依照欺詐爲理由申請撤裁方面,本案法院的觀點是,雖然欺詐構成公共政策撤裁的基礎,但是單純存在欺詐不一定導致裁決被撤銷,欺詐與公共政策爲之間也必須有足夠的聯系,對仲裁結果也必須有足夠強的實質影響才可能導致裁決被撤銷。因此一方面法院不否認本案情形在定性方面可能構成欺詐,因此違反公共政策,另一方面則在定量方面認爲這種欺詐由于裁決沒有根本影響,所以可能不足以導致裁決被撤銷。由此可能産生一個問題,即法院一定程度上容忍欺詐,只要其影響不夠惡劣即可,這在一定程度上可能也會導致仲裁操作中在這個問題上出現模糊地帶,讓一些當事人勇于铤而走險而不是對仲裁庭進行開誠布公地坦率披露。本案的後續進展值得我們進一步追蹤。
信息源于:臨時仲裁ADA