Citation: CILL 2290 TCC
Nature of case: This was an attempt to obtain leave to challenge an arbitrator’s award under s.69 of the Arbitration Act. Surefire was a trade contractor for the design and installation of a fire and voice alarm system in the County Hall building in London and Guardian a cable installation sub-contractor, who claimed loss and expense. Surefire attempted to challenge the award of £102,000 out of the £50,000 claimed on the ground that the arbitrator was wrong on the burden of proof and wrong to award sums where the contractual payment mechanism had not been used. The court held that neither of these issues involved a question of law for the purposes of s.69.