While not knowing the detail of the Chektma JV Agreement between...

While not knowing the detail of the Chektma JV Agreement between CNL and TMS, in my experience of  other JV agreement Arbitration is the first step in resolving issues NOT court action.

Reading the various limited announcements put out by CNL they have been very disparaging of the Tunisian courts, not the best strategy to adopt particularly when you have turned to them for redress. Two judgements in a few months is pretty efficient. CNL withdrawing from the main case before the main hearing commence cannot be blamed on the Tunisians.  Nor can the fact that earlier judgements that are also presumably based on Tunisian law have gone against CNL.

Presumably the agreement is subject to Tunisian law and so in any case they will need Tunisian legal experts to facilitate the  arbitration.

Readers should look at Nic Clift's history in relation to handling disputes with JV partners in Algeria.  He has a poor track record.