This appointment raised questions about whether Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP had proper authorization to represent Doraleh Container Terminal in the enforcement proceedings. In a 2-1 decision earlier this year, the D.C. Circuit ruled that the district court was obligated to resolve these questions, citing principles that a lawyer’s authority can be challenged at any point in litigation.
Broader Implications
Djibouti, located strategically near two of the world’s busiest shipping routes, has been at the center of legal and geopolitical disputes over control of its ports. The resolution of this case, however, clears a major obstacle in DP World’s broader efforts to enforce arbitral awards against the East African nation.
Neither Quinn Emanuel attorneys representing Doraleh Container Terminal nor Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, representing Djibouti, provided comments on the settlement.
A Complex Legal Saga
The settlement marks the end of a four-year legal battle over a multimillion-dollar arbitration victory tied to Djibouti’s efforts to regain control over port operations. The case underscores the complex interplay of corporate governance, international arbitration, and sovereign rights in the global shipping industry.
