Case Details

Qatar National Bank (Q.P.S.C) v. Republic of the Sudan and Central Bank of Sudan (ICSID Case No. ARB/24/28)

Subject of Dispute:

Debt instruments
Economic Sector:

Finance
Instrument(s) Invoked:

Contract
Applicable Rules:

ICSID Convention - Arbitration Rules

(a) Original Proceeding

Claimant(s)/Nationality(ies):

Qatar National Bank (Q.P.S.C) (Qatari)
Respondent(s):

Republic of the Sudan (Sudanese), Central Bank of Sudan (Sudanese)
Date Registered:

July 24, 2024
Date of Constitution of Tribunal:

December 20, 2024

Composition of Tribunal

President:

Salim MOOLLAN (French, Mauritian) - Appointed by the Chairman of the Administrative Council
Arbitrators:

Paula HODGES (British) - Appointed by the Claimant(s)
Olufunke ADEKOYA (British, Nigerian) - Appointed by the Chairman of the Administrative Council

Party Representatives

Claimant(s):

Withers, London, U.K. and Geneva, Switzerland
Respondent(s):

Government of the Republic of the Sudan, Khartoum, Sudan
Ministry of Justice of the Republic of the Sudan, Khartoum, Sudan
Ministry of Finance of the Republic of the Sudan, Khartoum, Sudan
Director in Charge, Central Bank of Sudan, Port Sudan, Sudan
Status of Proceeding:

Pending
Latest Development:

April 15, 2025 - The Tribunal issues Procedural Order No. 1 concerning the Respondent’s request of January 14, 2025.

No References Available.

(a) Original Proceeding

Date	Development
July 24, 2024	The Secretary-General registers a request for the institution of arbitration proceedings.
September 2, 2024	Following appointment by the Claimant, Paula Hodges (British) accepts her appointment as arbitrator.
November 19, 2024	Following appointment by the Chairman of Administrative Council in accordance with Article 38 of the ICSID Convention, Olufunke Adekoya (U.K./Nigerian) accepts her appointment as arbitrator.
December 20, 2024	Following appointment by the Chair of the Administrative Council in accordance with Article 38 of the ICSID Convention, Salim Moollan (British/French/Mauritian) accepts his appointment as presiding arbitrator.
December 20, 2024	The Tribunal is constituted in accordance with Article 37(2)(a) of the ICSID Convention. Its members are: Salim Moollan (British/French/Mauritian), President, appointed by the Chair of the Administrative Council in accordance with Article 38 of the ICSID Convention; Paula Hodges (British), appointed by the Claimant; and Olufunke Adekoya (British/Nigerian), appointed by the Chair of the Administrative Council in accordance with Article 38 of the ICSID Convention.
January 6, 2025	Central Bank of Sudan files a proposal for disqualification of arbitrator Paula Hodges. The proceeding is suspended in accordance with ICSID Arbitration Rule 9(6).
January 13, 2025	The Claimant files observations on the proposal for disqualification.
January 14, 2025	The Republic of the Sudan files a request for the suspension of the proceeding.
January 19, 2025	The arbitrator furnishes explanations regarding the proposal for disqualification in accordance with ICSID Arbitration Rule 9(3).
January 28, 2025	Central Bank of Sudan files further observations on the proposal for disqualification.
February 12, 2025	The proposal for disqualification of arbitrator Paula Hodges is declined by the co-arbitrators. The proceeding is resumed pursuant to ICSID Arbitration Rule 9(6).
February 24, 2025	The Claimant files observations on the Respondents’ request for suspension.
March 5, 2025	The Republic of the Sudan files a response to the Claimant’s observations of February 24, 2025.
March 12, 2025	The Central Bank of Sudan files observations on the Respondents’ request for suspension.
March 19, 2025	The Tribunal poses questions to the parties.
April 1, 2025	Each party files answers to the questions posed by the Tribunal on March 19, 2025.
April 15, 2025	The Tribunal issues Procedural Order No. 1 concerning the Respondent’s request of January 14, 2025.