Thai Lao Lignite (Thailand) Co Ltd & anor v Government of Lao People's Democratic Republic & anor

The Commercial Court (Popplewell J) discharged, on state immunity grounds, provisions of a freezing order affecting assets of the Central Bank of Lao PDR.

The judgment considers the application of sections 13 and 14 of the State Immunity Act 1978 to central bank property, confirming the breadth of a central bank's privileges under these provisions, including as regards property in which the central bank is jointly interested.

The full judgment can be read here: http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Comm/2013/2466.html

Robert Howe QC and Andrew Scott (instructed by Sullivan Cromwell LLP) acted for the Central Bank.