The Slovak Republic urged a Texas federal judge Friday to issue a default judgment of €1.83 million ($2.14 million) against Discovery Global LLC, a U.S.-based energy company once seeking a colossal $2.1 billion claim against the country. The request comes after the company failed to pay an international arbitration award rendered earlier this year.
In its motion, Slovakia said Discovery Global ignored a binding order issued January 17 by a tribunal under the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). That tribunal had required Discovery to pay $457,248 and €2.31 million, plus interest.
When the company failed to comply, Slovakia petitioned the court July 3 to recognize and enforce the award, arguing Discovery had exhausted its chances.
A Legal Battle Gone Silent
Slovakia said Discovery’s failure to respond removes any factual dispute. The motion stresses that the company was properly served: the petition and summons were hand-delivered July 21 to Discovery’s CEO, Texas attorney Steven Walker, with proof of service filed July 29. Yet Discovery filed no answer, no objection, and no counter.
“The Slovak Republic’s petition establishes a viable claim for relief,” the motion declared. “There can be no doubt the petition does.”
Slovakia added that no prejudice exists against Discovery if default judgment is entered since the company has chosen silence instead of defense.
