In a recent case relating to the breach of various confidentiality obligations included in the parties’ original agreement (“Conductive Inkjet Technology Ltd v Uni-Pixel Displays Inc [2013] EWHC 2968)”:http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Ch/2013/2968.html, the High Court considered whether a contract can be formed in two different jurisdictions….

At the PILOT Share Fair, held on 6 November 2013 in Aberdeen, it was revealed that the North Sea still has a wealth of opportunities to offer in terms of investment. In particular, industry representatives agreed they felt confident about their current and future operations in the region, with interest in their activities running high during the afternoon…

Two recent Court of Appeal judgments (“PGF II SA v OMFS Company Ltd [2013] EWCA Civ 1288 “:http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2013/1288.html and “Halsey v Milton Keynes General NHS Trust [2004] 1 WLR 3002”:http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2004/576.html) have emphasised the need for the parties to a dispute to engage in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)…

Following similar appointments over the past 10 years, the Real Estate division of a major US Oil Company has expressed its continuing confidence in Saltire by appointing it to provide claims defence and dispute resolution advice on commercial & residential building projects in Nigeria.

Saltire has received an appointment from a major Oil & Gas Operator to provide Contractual Claims advice over the next 12 months on a Topsides fabrication project for the N. Sea.

A major Oil & Gas Operator has expressed its confidence in Saltire by appointing it to provide Claims Preparation and Dispute Resolution support in respect of a multi-million $ modification of an existing Floating Production vessel currently being refurbished in Europe.

Saltire’s Keith Adams was recently appointed to represent the Co. on the newly-inaugurated Dispute Board Middle East & N Africa as a professional practitioner.

More information on DB MENA can be found here

Saltire recently became a Corporate Member of the Scottish Arbitration Centre. Based in Edinburgh, the SAC promotes arbitration to the Scottish business community as an effective alternative to litigation, and Scotland to the world as a place to conduct international arbitration. The Centre is a non-profit company limited by guarantee, made up of the Law Society of Scotland, the Faculty of Advocates, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, and the Scottish Ministers. With its distinguished legal tradition, innovative legislation and the SAC, Scotland is well placed to compete as an attractive and cost-effective venue for arbitration on the global stage.

More information on the Scottish Arbitration Centre can be found here

The development of the shale gas industry in the UK has been a subject of discourse mainly due to the controversies associated with shale gas activities (horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing or “fracking”).

There are a wide range of challenges to the development of shale gas in the UK including geological and economic considerations derived from the UK’s complex geology which may incur additional costs to develop the infrastructure required to bring the shale gas to markets and public concerns and political opposition mainly for environmental reasons and the potential dangers and disruption caused by shale gas activities. EU and UK legislation and monitoring also have the potential to delay the realisation of the UK’s shale gas plans.

Saltire’s report which investigates the benefits that shale gas development could bring to the UK’s economy drawing on the U.S paradigm and the challenges that are likely to obstruct the advancement of shale gas can be seen here: The Development of the shale gas industry in the UK

Following a similar appointment in January 2013, a major Oil & Gas Operator has expressed its confidence in Saltire by appointing it to provide Dispute Avoidance and Resolution advice in respect of a multi-Million $ modification of an existing Floating Production facility.