World · Malaysia Bureau
1MDB seeks Federal Court review of White & Case lawsuit dismissal
1Malaysia Development Berhad has petitioned the Federal Court to overturn a High Court decision that rejected its USD1.86 billion claim against international law firm White & Case, challenging the lower court's finding that it lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter.
LSN Malaysia ·
1MDB is mounting a legal challenge against a High Court ruling that dismissed its substantial claim against the London-based law firm on jurisdictional grounds. The state investment fund is seeking leave from the Federal Court to review the decision, which found the High Court had no authority to hear the USD1.86 billion suit.
The dispute centres on White & Case's alleged role in legal work connected to 1MDB's controversial projects. The law firm has previously denied any misconduct related to its services rendered to the fund.
The High Court's jurisdictional ruling, if upheld, would effectively bar 1MDB from pursuing the claim in Malaysian courts. By appealing to the Federal Court, 1MDB is challenging the threshold legal question of whether Malaysian courts possess the authority to adjudicate the dispute, rather than the substantive merits of the allegations.
The Federal Court's decision on whether to grant leave for review will determine whether the case can proceed further in the Malaysian judicial system. The outcome may have implications for 1MDB's broader litigation strategy as it continues to pursue claims related to the fund's troubled history.