Shehadeh v. Alexander

The trial court erred in domesticating a money judgment from the courts of Dubai because the plaintiff failed to show that Dubai courts recognize and enforce judgments of the United States and the several states, as required by O.C.G.A. § 9-12-114 10.

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

After obtaining a judgment from the courts of Dubai, United Arab Emirates against Abdel Karim Shehadeh in the amount of $500,000, Mark Alexander filed a notice of that judgment in Whitfield County Superior Court. After an evidentiary hearing, the trial court recognized the Dubai judgment under the Georgia Foreign Money Judgments Recognition Act, OCGA § 9-12-110 et seq. On appeal, Shehadeh argues inter alia that the trial court erred when it recognized the Dubai judgment because Alexander failed to show that the Dubai courts recognize judgments of courts of the United States and the several states. See OCGA § 9-12-114 10. We agree and reverse. The relevant facts are not in dispute. In 2005, Shehadeh, Alexander, Ahmad Qassab,1 and one other person executed an operating agreement concerning Hydrajet Technology, LLC, a Georgia company. The operating agreement specified that any disputes “arising out of or in connection with or relating to this Agreement or any breach or alleged breach hereof” would be submitted to arbitration in Dalton, Georgia.

On September 11, 2008, Shehadeh and Alexander entered into an agreement of their own concerning Shehadeh’s purchase of Alexander’s Hydrajet shares. Litigation concerning this agreement eventually resulted in a judgment by the Dubai Court of Appeals in favor of Alexander in the amount of $500,000 plus fees.

Shehadeh v. Alexander

The trial court erred in domesticating a money judgment from the courts of Dubai because the plaintiff failed to show that Dubai courts recognize and enforce judgments of the United States and the several states, as required by O.C.G.A. § 9-12-114 10.

Share with Email

Thank you for sharing!

Trending Stories

More From ALM

Subscribe to Daily Report