French High Court Dismisses $15 Billion Claim Against Malaysia by Sultanate Descendants

The French Cour de cassation has ruled against a claim filed by alleged Filipino descendants of a 19th-century sultanate seeking $15 billion from Malaysia, citing the lack of authority of a Spanish arbitrator who had moved the case to France. This ruling signifies a substantial setback for the claimants backed by the litigation funder Therium, an entity that has faced scrutiny for its tactics of pursuing cases across multiple jurisdictions. The decision supports previous outcomes in other countries, such as the Netherlands, where the claimants faced similar legal rejections. The Malaysian government, represented by Bredin Prat, views the ruling as a crucial affirmation of the validity of international arbitration as a dispute resolution mechanism. The original article can be found here. Further related litigation is pending in Luxembourg and other jurisdictions.