An anti-suit injunction is an order restraining a party, not a foreign court, from starting or continuing proceedings in another jurisdiction. Because such an order indirectly affects foreign proceedings, Indian courts grant it with caution.
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The governing principles
In Modi Entertainment Network v. W.S.G. Cricket Pte. Ltd. (2003), the Supreme Court of India set out the principal considerations: the defendant must be amenable to the personal jurisdiction of the Indian court; the court must be satisfied that refusing the injunction would defeat the ends of justice; and due regard must be given to comity.
Exclusive jurisdiction and arbitration clauses
Where parties have agreed on an exclusive forum or on arbitration, courts generally hold them to that bargain. Related questions arise where a party seeks to restrain a foreign arbitration, or where a foreign anti-suit order is met with an anti-anti-suit injunction.
Practical points
- Move quickly: delay can weigh against relief.
- Review the dispute resolution clause before any proceedings begin.
- Consider parallel steps in the foreign forum with local counsel.
- Keep positions in India and abroad consistent.
This note is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice on a specific matter, please contact us.
