Service On Sovereign States

The institution of proceedings in national courts against sovereign States is an important subject, including in relation to enforcing arbitral awards against States and obtaining relief in national courts in support of arbitration. The prospect, for example, of significant claims in arbitration against the Russian Federation arising from expropriation of assets brings these issues into sharp focus. If a national court exercises jurisdiction over the State, it will have done so despite the general entitlement of foreign States to immunity in the courts of another State.¹ This includes the initiation of enforcement proceedings against sovereign States in respect of international arbitration awards.