International Law
Our expertise
Woods has substantial experience in representing foreign states, foreign state-owned or controlled entities and foreign private companies in commercial disputes in Quebec.
We regularly act in multi-jurisdictional cases, whether in commercial disputes or class actions. Our advice is sought in a variety of contexts, ranging from the homologation of arbitral awards to the assessment of the jurisdiction of Quebec courts in an international dispute, as well as advising on letters rogatory. In many cases, we have raised the defence of state immunity on behalf of our clients, playing an essential role in safeguarding state sovereignty and protecting them from foreign jurisdiction in specific situations.
We draw on our team’s comprehensive knowledge of the judicial system and its laws, as well as our familiarity with foreign jurisdictions and international arbitration tribunals to achieve favourable results for our clients.
Representative work
Eurobank Ergasias S.A. v. Bombardier inc., 2024 CSC 11
Represented National Bank of Canada successfully before the Supreme Court of Canada, which reaffirmed that fraud remains the only exception recognized in Canadian law that can be invoked against the issuing financial institution’s obligation to pay the beneficiary upon receipt of a demand to that effect. To find out more, click here.
Air India, Ltd. v. CC/Devas (Mauritius) Ltd., 2022 QCCA 1264
Representing Air India Ltd. on an application for seizure of its assets held by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in the context of proceedings for the recognition and enforcement of two arbitral awards rendered in CC/Devas (Mauritius) Ltd., Devas Employees Mauritius Private Limited and Telecom Devas Mauritius Limited v. India (PCA Case No. 2013-09), by which the Republic of India was ordered to pay the foreign investors more than USD 111 million as damages for expropriation and breach of fair and equitable treatment. (Judgment translation available here)
Islamic Republic of Iran v. Hashemi
Represented the Islamic Republic of Iran before the Québec Superior Court and the Québec Court of Appeal in a claim for damages raised by the son and the Estate of the late Zahra Kazemi, obtaining the dismissal of the claim on grounds of immunity from suit under the State Immunity Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. S-18 . The majority of the Supreme Court of Canada ultimately dismissed the claim in its entirety.
New Jersey (Department of the Treasury of the State of) v. Trudel & Johnston, 2009 QCCA 86, [2009] R.J.Q. 46
Represented the Department of the Treasury of the State of New Jersey and its Division of Investment before the Québec Superior Court and the Québec Court of Appeal and obtained the dismissal of the claim on grounds of immunity under the State Immunity Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. S-18.
Parent v. Singapore Airlines Ltd., 2003 QCCS 7285
Represented the Civil Aeronautics Administration (Taiwan) before the Superior Court of Québec in a claim in warranty brought by the Singapore Airlines Ltd., which itself had been sued by a passenger who was injured when the Singapore Airlines aircraft crashed at Chiang Kai-Shek International Airport in Taipei. We obtained the dismissal of the claim against our client by successfully invoking immunity from suit under the State Immunity Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. S-18.
Sychterz c. Bouchard, 2015 QCCS 1215
Represented Sychterz in an oppression claim filed in Quebec in relation to an Ontario corporation. Defeated arguments in absence of jurisdiction for the Quebec Superior Court and in forum non conveniens.
Steen v. Islamic Republic of Iran, 2011 ONSC 6464 (CanLII)
Challenged the enforcement in Canada (Ontario) of two judgments (totaling nearly USD 400 million) which had been obtained in US district courts against a foreign state.
