Case Details

Mehmet Zeki Obuz and others v. Republic of Uzbekistan (ICSID Case No. ARB/21/32)

Subject of Dispute:

Food products enterprise
Economic Sector:

Other Industry
Instrument(s) Invoked:

BIT Türkiye - Uzbekistan 1992
Applicable Rules:

ICSID Convention - Arbitration Rules

(a) Original Proceeding

Claimant(s)/Nationality(ies):

Mehmet Zeki Obuz (Turkish), Sevde Yilmaz (Turkish), Huriye Obuz (Turkish), Tasfiye Halinde Obuzlar Gida, Temizlik Maddeleri, Züccaciye ve Tekstil Sanayi Ticaret Limited Sirketi (Turkish)
Respondent(s):

Republic of Uzbekistan (Uzbek)
Date Registered:

June 4, 2021
Date of Constitution of Tribunal:

February 15, 2022

Composition of Tribunal

President:

Lawrence BOO (Singaporean) - Appointed by the Chairman of the Administrative Council
Arbitrators:

Eric SCHWARTZ (French, U.S.) - Appointed by the Claimant(s)
Makhdoom Ali KHAN (Pakistani) - Appointed by the Respondent(s)

Party Representatives

Claimant(s):

Akinci Law Office, Istanbul, Turkey
Respondent(s):

Minister of Justice, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt and Mosle, Washington D.C., U.S.A. and Brussels, Belgium
Language(s) of Proceeding:

English
Status of Proceeding:

Pending
Latest Development:

November 25, 2024 -
Each party files observations on the other party’s submission on costs.

No References Available.

(a) Original Proceeding

Date	Development
June 4, 2021	The Secretary-General registers a request for the institution of arbitration proceedings.
August 28, 2021	Following appointment by the Claimants, Eric Schwartz (French/U.S.) accepts his appointment as arbitrator.
September 2, 2021	Following appointment by the Respondent, Makhdoom Ali Khan (Pakistani) accepts his appointment as arbitrator.
February 15, 2022	The Tribunal is constituted in accordance with Article 37(2)(b) of the ICSID Convention. Its members are: Lawrence Boo (Singaporean), President, appointed by the Chairman of the Administrative Council in accordance with Article 38 of the ICSID Convention; Eric Schwartz (French/U.S.), appointed by the Claimants; and Makhdoom Ali Khan (Pakistani), appointed by the Respondent.
February 15, 2022	Following appointment by the Chairman of the Administrative Council in accordance with Article 38 of the ICSID Convention, Lawrence Boo (Singaporean) accepts his appointment as presiding arbitrator.
March 31, 2022	The Tribunal holds a first session by video conference.
April 4, 2022	The Respondent files a request for security for costs.
April 4, 2022	The Claimants file a request for the Tribunal to decide on production of documents.
April 4, 2022	The Respondent files a request to address the objections to jurisdiction as a preliminary question.
April 11, 2022	The Respondent files observations on the Claimants’ request for the Tribunal to decide on production of documents.
April 11, 2022	The Claimants file observations on the request to address the objections to jurisdiction as a preliminary question.
April 11, 2022	The Claimants file observations on the Respondent’s request for security for costs.
April 19, 2022	The Tribunal issues a decision on production of documents and the Respondent’s request to address the objections to jurisdiction as a preliminary question.
April 25, 2022	The Tribunal holds a case management conference with the parties by video conference.
May 5, 2022	The Tribunal issues Procedural Order No. 1 concerning procedural matters.
September 29, 2022	The Claimants file a memorial on the merits.
December 28, 2022	The Respondent files a renewed request for security for costs.
January 13, 2023	The Claimants file observations on the Respondent’s renewed request for security for costs.
February 6, 2023	The Tribunal issues Procedural Order No. 2 concerning security for costs.
March 30, 2023	The Respondent files a counter-memorial on the merits and a memorial on jurisdiction.
May 25, 2023	Following exchanges between the parties, each party files a request for the Tribunal to decide on production of documents.
June 15, 2023	The Tribunal issues Procedural Order No. 3 concerning production of documents.
September 28, 2023	The Claimants file a reply on the merits and a counter-memorial on jurisdiction.
February 1, 2024	The Respondent files a rejoinder on the merits and a reply on jurisdiction.
February 20, 2024	The Tribunal issues Procedural Order No. 4 concerning the procedural calendar.
February 29, 2024	The Claimants file a rejoinder on jurisdiction.
March 29, 2024	The Respondent files a request for the Tribunal to decide on admissibility of aspects of the Claimants’ rejoinder on jurisdiction.
April 5, 2024	The Claimants file observations on the Respondent’s request of March 29, 2024.
April 12, 2024	The Tribunal issues Procedural Order No. 5 concerning the Respondent’s request of March 29, 2024.
May 30, 2024	The Tribunal holds a pre-hearing organizational meeting with the parties by video conference.
June 6, 2024	The Tribunal issues Procedural Order No. 6 concerning the organization of the hearing.
July 1, 2024 - July 10, 2024	The Tribunal holds a hearing on jurisdiction and the merits in Washington, D.C..
October 25, 2024	Each party files a post-hearing brief.
November 15, 2024	Each party files a submission on costs.
November 25, 2024	Each party files observations on the other party’s submission on costs.