Barry Coulter wins jurisdictional challenge in Georgian conspiracy and extortion case

Barry Coulter instructed by Ruslan Ughrelidze of LawLex Solicitors acted for JSC Tbilisi Tobacco and Mr Ivane Chkhartishvili, respectively a well-known business and a former government minister in Georgia, in their successful challenge - on a variety of grounds - to the English Court’s jurisdiction in relation to a claim in excess of $23,000,000 brought against them and others, by Mr Zaza Okuashvili based on disputed allegations of conspiracy, intimidation and extortion arising out of disputes between substantial Georgian tobacco businesses. Mr Justice Rajah found among other things that there was no serious issue to be tried and the claims did not pass through any of the relevant gateways permitting service out of the jurisdiction.

The judgment of Mr Justice Rajah, upholding the jurisdictional challenges, was handed down on the 7th April 2025.