The parties entered into a joint venture to launch commercial satellites into space from an ocean platform, which venture ultimately failed. As a result of certain guarantees, Boeing paid $449 million to cover loans made to the venture, which the defendants refused to reimburse as required by the parties’ contracts. Boeing successful moved for summary judgment, to which the district court applied both Swedish and U.K. law.
The circuit court affirmed the district court’s order granting summary judgment, and also affirmed the lower court’s decision denying the defendants’ motion for a stay in favor of Swedish arbitration. Only some of the claims at issue were referable to Swedish arbitration (and not those involving the guaranty). Moreover, the defendants had previously taken the position that the Swedish arbitrator lacked jurisdiction over Boeing’s claims, which was inconsistent with its right to arbitration and constituted a waiver of that right.
Boeing Co. v. KB Yuzhnoye, No. 18-55283 (9th Cir. Nov. 12, 2019).