{ "id": 4280246, "name": "CERTAIN UNDERWRITERS AT LLOYD'S, LONDON, et al., Plaintiffs-Appellants, v. BOEING COMPANY et al., Defendants-Appellees", "name_abbreviation": "Certain Underwriters v. Boeing Co.", "decision_date": "2008-06-30", "docket_number": "No. 1\u201407\u20141667", "first_page": "23", "last_page": "47", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "385 Ill. App. 3d 23" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill. App. Ct.", "id": 8837, "name": "Illinois Appellate Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "141 Ill. App. 3d 165", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3495387 ], "year": 1986, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "169-70" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/141/0165-01" ] }, { "cite": "166 Ill. 2d 165", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 198916 ], "year": 1995, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "174" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/166/0165-01" ] }, { "cite": "335 Ill. App. 3d 633", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 637083 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2002, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "647" }, { "page": "647" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/335/0633-01" ] }, { "cite": "294 Ill. App. 3d 626", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 35428 ], "year": 1998, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/294/0626-01" ] }, { "cite": "266 Ill. App. 3d 1070", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 887209 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1994, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1083" }, { "page": "1083" }, { "page": "1083" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/266/1070-01" ] }, { "cite": "118 Ill. App. 3d 4", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5659937 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1983, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "5-6" }, { "page": "5-6" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/118/0004-01" ] }, { "cite": "298 Ill. App. 3d 278", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 1073696 ], "weight": 8, "year": 1998, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "281" }, { "page": "280-81" }, { "page": "284" }, { "page": "284" }, { "page": "284" }, { "page": "284-85" }, { "page": "280-81" }, { "page": "281" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/298/0278-01" ] }, { "cite": "251 Ill. App. 3d 371", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 2959064 ], "weight": 5, "year": 1993, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "372" }, { "page": "372-73" }, { "page": "373" }, { "page": "373" }, { "page": "373-74" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/251/0371-01" ] }, { "cite": "69 Ill. App. 3d 777", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3241315 ], "year": 1978, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "785", "parenthetical": "finding that the insurer had a duty to defend by admission conceded in its brief" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/69/0777-01" ] }, { "cite": "138 Ill. App. 3d 545", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 8499296 ], "year": 1985, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "549", "parenthetical": "\"Allegations contained in a complaint are judicial admissions and are conclusive against the pleader\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/138/0545-01" ] }, { "cite": "375 Ill. App. 3d 530", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 4271894 ], "year": 2007, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "534" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/375/0530-01" ] }, { "cite": "212 Ill. App. 3d 556", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 2600531 ], "weight": 4, "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "564" }, { "page": "561" }, { "page": "561" }, { "page": "562" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/212/0556-01" ] }, { "cite": "161 Ill. 2d 433", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 783179 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1994, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "439" }, { "page": "439" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/161/0433-01" ] }, { "cite": "154 Ill. 2d 90", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 4820940 ], "weight": 6, "year": 1992, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "107-08" }, { "page": "125" }, { "page": "125-26" }, { "page": "125-26" }, { "page": "127" }, { "page": "127" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/154/0090-01" ] }, { "cite": "186 Ill. 2d 127", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 243917 ], "year": 1999, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "150" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/186/0127-01" ] }, { "cite": "186 Ill. 2d 367", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 243901 ], "year": 1999, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "373" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/186/0367-01" ] }, { "cite": "118 Ill. 2d 23", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3188258 ], "year": 1987, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "52" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/118/0023-01" ] }, { "cite": "748 N.E.2d 674", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2001, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "321 Ill. App. 3d 879", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 132373 ], "weight": 6, "year": 2001, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "888" }, { "page": "888" }, { "page": "888" }, { "page": "888" }, { "page": "888" }, { "page": "888" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/321/0879-01" ] }, { "cite": "92 Ill. 2d 388", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3098596 ], "year": 1982, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "394" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/92/0388-01" ] }, { "cite": "299 Ill. App. 3d 797", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 221488 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1998, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "801" }, { "page": "801" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/299/0797-01" ] }, { "cite": "357 S.W.2d 139", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.2d", "case_ids": [ 10154551 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1962, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "143" }, { "page": "143" }, { "page": "142-44" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/sw2d/357/0139-01" ] }, { "cite": "257 Ill. 355", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 4716726 ], "year": 1913, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "358" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/257/0355-01" ] }, { "cite": "57 Ill. 2d 590", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5408342 ], "weight": 4, "year": 1974, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "594-95" }, { "page": "594" }, { "page": "595" }, { "page": "595" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/57/0590-01" ] }, { "cite": "122 Ill. 2d 555", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5549696 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1988, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "562" }, { "page": "562" }, { "page": "564" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/122/0555-01" ] }, { "cite": "299 U.S. 248", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 5722825 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1936, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "254-55" }, { "page": "158" }, { "page": "165-66" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/299/0248-01" ] }, { "cite": "213 Ill. App. 3d 591", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 2606819 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "595" }, { "page": "595" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/213/0591-01" ] }, { "cite": "295 Ill. App. 3d 895", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 45758 ], "year": 1998, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "901" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/295/0895-01" ] }, { "cite": "263 Ill. App. 3d 611", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5366528 ], "year": 1994, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "615" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/263/0611-01" ] }, { "cite": "127 Ill. App. 3d 413", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3562522 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1984, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "418" }, { "page": "418" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/127/0413-01" ] }, { "cite": "375 Ill. App. 3d 62", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 4271525 ], "weight": 4, "year": 2007, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "67" }, { "page": "67" }, { "page": "67" }, { "page": "67-68" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/375/0062-01" ] }, { "cite": "88 Ill. 2d 444", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3082811 ], "weight": 5, "year": 1981, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "451" }, { "page": "451" }, { "page": "455" }, { "page": "455" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/88/0444-01" ] }, { "cite": "22 U.S.C. \u00a72778", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "U.S.C.", "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "1994 & Supp. IV 1998" } ], "opinion_index": 0 } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 1727, "char_count": 62707, "ocr_confidence": 0.803, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.7014959481321172e-07, "percentile": 0.7008958823468087 }, "sha256": "6c348247fd55c29a1fa98ceefb14d4aa768201a68266788152b3b75c8f871e41", "simhash": "1:eb95ffc269c97524", "word_count": 9658 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T18:58:06.429737+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "CERTAIN UNDERWRITERS AT LLOYD\u2019S, LONDON, et al., Plaintiffs-Appellants, v. BOEING COMPANY et al., Defendants-Appellees." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "PRESIDING JUSTICE QUINN\ndelivered the opinion of the court:\nPlaintiffs Certain Underwriters at Lloyd\u2019s, London, and Certain London Market Insurance Companies sought a judicial declaration of their obligations under reinsurance and direct insurance contracts involving defendant Astro Limited (Astro), serving as both the reinsured and direct, captive insurer, and defendant Boeing Company (Boeing), the direct insured. The circuit court of Cook County granted defendants\u2019 motion to stay plaintiffs\u2019 declaratory judgment action. Plaintiffs filed this interlocutory appeal pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 307(a) (188 Ill. 2d R. 307(a)), arguing that the circuit court abused its discretion by finding that overlapping issues and discovery complications warranted a stay of the declaratory judgment proceedings until the completion of the underlying international arbitration. For the following reasons, we find no abuse of discretion and affirm the judgment of the circuit court.\nI. BACKGROUND\nPlaintiffs (sometimes, collectively, Reinsurers) are comprised of a number of insurers that each subscribed to the facultative reinsurance of Astro in regard to its aviation liability policy issued to Boeing for the period from July 1, 1999, to July 1, 2002. Boeing, a Delaware corporation, is a designer and manufacturer of numerous aviation and aerospace products, including satellites and advanced information and communication systems. Astro, Boeing\u2019s wholly owned subsidiary, is a limited liability company organized under the laws of, and based in, Bermuda. In this case, plaintiffs sought a declaratory judgment to determine their obligations for liability coverage under both the reinsurance and direct insurance policies concerning the loss of a telecommunications satellite.\nAstro directly insured 80% of Boeing\u2019s 1999 to 2002 aerospace liability coverage. A second insurance policy issued by New-Jersey-based insurer Global Aerospace, Inc. (formerly Associated Aviation Underwriters (AAU)), provided the remaining 20% coverage of the total limits of liability. Astro\u2019s liability insurance policy covered certain specified risks issued in favor of Boeing and its subsidiaries.\nPlaintiffs\u2019 reinsurance contract provides 100% coverage of the original insurance limits undertaken by Astro in the aviation liability policy it issued to Boeing. The \u201cLloyd\u2019s Proportional Reinsurance Policy\u201d also contains a \u201cSimultaneous Payments Clause,\u201d which provides:\n\u201cIn the event of a claim under the original policy [between Astro and Boeing], Reinsurers hereon agree that any settlement or advance of funds by the letter of credit or otherwise shall take place at the same time as on the original in order that the Reinsured shall not be required to advance funds on behalf of the Reinsurer.\u201d\nIn short, the terms of the simultaneous payments clause denote that Astro\u2019s own coverage under its reinsurance policy with plaintiffs is coextensive with its coverage obligation to Boeing.\nAstro and its leading reinsurer, Kiln Syndicate 510 at Lloyd\u2019s of London (Kiln), on behalf of itself and a number of concurrent reinsurers, also entered into a \u201cclaims handling agreement\u201d in connection with the liability insurance afforded to Boeing under Astro\u2019s policy for the period from July 1, 1999, to July 1, 2002. The claims handling agreement designated Kiln and AAU as joint claims leaders, stating that they \u201cshall have sole discretion and exclusive control over the nature and extent of [the preliminary] investigation which they may cause to be conducted, including the selection or designation of investigators, adjusters and attorneys and over the negotiation, adjustment, settlement and/or defense of claims or suits presented [against Boeing].\u201d Pertinent to this case, the claims handling agreement also provides:\n\u201cIn the instance of a claim involving a significant conflict of interest on the part of [Kiln], it will act solely in the interest of Boeing and will divest itself of claims control on behalf of its other insureds in any claims involving Boeing.\u201d\nTurning to the circumstances involving the subject coverage claims, Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Private Joint Stock Company (Thuraya), a Saudi Arabian company, entered into a September 1997 contract with Hughes Space and Communications International, Inc. (Hughes), to construct a telecommunications satellite known as \u201cThuraya Dl.\u201d Boeing acquired the Hughes corporate entity as a subsidiary in 2000 and renamed it Boeing Satellite Systems, Inc. (BSSI).\nIn October 2000, Thuraya Dl was launched without incident and successfully reached a geosynchronous orbit approximately 93 miles above Saudi Arabia. Following the launch, Boeing continued to monitor the performance of Thuraya Dl by means of telemetry data sent from the satellite to the ground station.\nIn September 2001, Boeing allegedly first advised Thuraya of a decrease in Thuraya Dl\u2019s electrical output. Thuraya initially notified its insurers of the satellite\u2019s power anomalies on September 17, 2001.\nBoeing continued to monitor Thuraya Dl\u2019s electrical output through the fall of 2001 and thereafter. On November 30, 2001, Boeing informed Thuraya that no defects had been identified within Thuraya Dl, but eventually isolated the power output problem to a degradation of the optical properties of the \u201csolar concentration array\u201d (SCA), a feature on Thuraya Dl used to capture solar radiation and convert it to electricity. By the spring of 2002, projections of Thuraya Dl\u2019s continual power degradation indicated that the satellite\u2019s useful life would be well short of the expected 12 years.\nOn March 12, 2002, Thuraya asserted a claim against its insurers that, based on alleged defects affecting the SCA and the power projections provided by Boeing, Thuraya Dl was a \u201cconstructive total loss\u201d within the meaning of its satellite coverage and total loss policies. An investigation of Thuraya\u2019s claim resulted in a purported payment of $196,514,442 by Thuraya\u2019s insurers to settle the insurance claim. In April 2003, Thuraya signed a \u201crelease and discharge agreement\u201d assigning and subrogating Thuraya\u2019s rights under its satellite coverage and total loss policies to certain of its insurers.\nOn September 10, 2004, certain of Thuraya\u2019s insurers (Underlying Claimants) filed a request for arbitration (Underlying Action) seeking reimbursement from Boeing for the settlement payment made to Thuraya. Pursuant to the contract between Thuraya and Boeing, Underlying Claimants brought the Underlying Action as an arbitration proceeding before the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris, France. The contract is subject to the civil laws of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Underlying Claimants have asserted two general theories of recovery against Boeing: (1) breach of contract and (2) misrepresentation or fraud.\nFirst, Underlying Claimants contend that Thuraya Dl did not meet the performance and functionality requirements pursuant to the contract between Boeing and Thuraya because: (1) the SCA system used on Thuraya Dl and former models within the same 702 series of satellites was defective, leading to a shortage of predicted power output and catastrophic failure of the satellite; and (2) Boeing failed to implement and secure a complete quality assurance program to test, analyze, document, report and remedy any failures concerning Thuraya Dl in accordance with the contract.\nUnderlying Claimants\u2019 second ground of relief involves Galaxy XI, another 702 series satellite manufactured by BSSI\u2019s predecessor, Hughes, and launched 10 months prior to Thuraya Dl. Galaxy XI was equipped with the same SCA system as Thuraya Dl and purportedly had similar power output problems. Underlying Claimants assert that Boeing sought to minimize or conceal the consequences of the power losses and their impact on the performance of Thuraya Dl until such time that Thuraya issued both a preliminary acceptance agreement and final acceptance agreement for the purchase of Thuraya Dl and additional 702 series satellites. Underlying Claimants allege that, after Thuraya entered into the final acceptance agreement, Boeing abruptly switched to an admission of fact that Thuraya Dl was a constructive total loss, and it has since supported Thuraya\u2019s claim under Thuraya\u2019s insurance policy while also arranging the launch of Thuraya\u2019s second satellite and the sale of a third satellite, benefitting substantially from the proceeds of the payments made by Thuraya\u2019s insurers. Underlying Claimants contend that Boeing knew about the in-orbit power deviations being experienced by its 702 series satellites both before and after the launch of Thuraya Dl. Furthermore, Underlying Claimants allege that Boeing committed \u201cgross error\u201d within the meaning of UAE law, which may negate various limitations of liability in the contract between Thuraya and Boeing.\nIn addition, Underlying Claimants requested that Boeing preserve certain documentation within its possession that was relevant to their claims. Underlying Claimants provided to Boeing a list of various classes of documentation for potential disclosure, including, inter alia:\n\u201c(1) All documents relating to the Contract signed between Thuraya and the company now known as BSSI;\n(2) All correspondence entered into and all information exchanged between Thuraya, its agents and consultants and any entities within the Boeing group of companies *** and/or BSSI relating to any of the six BSS 702 satellites, including the Galaxy XI and Thuraya Dl Satellites, and relating in particular to the identification and consequences of the anomalies and defects identified by BSSI in connection with the satellites, and to the proposals made by BSSI following its admission that the 702 satellites would not survive their service lives;\n(3) All technical documents and information relevant to the BSS 702 series satellites and [SCA] design and satellite power system; and\n(4) All relevant documents and information relating to the sale of [Hughes] to [Boeing], including but not limited to *** any correspondences between [Boeing] and [Hughes] with respect to the potential liabilities of the company now known as BSSI, as well as any correspondence between [Boeing] and [Hughes] with respect to the defects now known to exist in the Galaxy XI, Thuraya Dl and other BSS 702 satellites.\u201d\nKiln, on behalf of itself and Reinsurers, reserved their rights under both their reinsurance policy and Astro\u2019s direct insurance policy shortly before Underlying Claimants\u2019 demand for arbitration was issued. Kiln sent a copy of the reservation of rights letter to Boeing \u201cpursuant to the Claims Handling Agreement between Astro and Kiln to the extent that [the reinsurance policy] is applicable to the claims at issue asserted by [Underlying Claimants].\u201d Kiln asserted that there would be no coverage under the reinsurance policy for the liabilities of Hughes prior to Boeing\u2019s acquisition. Kiln also stated that Reinsurers agreed to participate in the defense of Boeing with respect to the claims asserted by Underlying Claimants, subject to a reservation of rights.\nIn addition, Kiln noted the following in its reservation of rights letter:\n\u201cAs Astro and Boeing are aware, the world aerospace and aerospace insurance markets are a relatively small community. As a result, certain Reinsurers also participated in the risk undertaken by [Underlying Claimants]. We wished to bring this fact to your attention solely for information purposes and it has no bearing on the issues raised in this letter.\n$\u2022<\nAny duty on the part of Reinsurers to pay indemnity in respect of any sums due to [Underlying Claimants] will depend on the actual facts as determined \u2014 not mere allegations in the Demand Letter or any subsequent arbitration demand. \u201d (Emphasis added.)\nKiln also set forth a coverage analysis of Astro\u2019s direct insurance policy, asserting the possibility of no coverage and policy exclusions for the allegations contained in Underlying Claimants\u2019 demand for arbitration as to six separate coverage sections, including premises liability, products liability, grounding liability, special property damage liability, legal liability for property damage to Jetfoil 929 products and excess legal liabilities. Kiln also stated:\n\u201c[T]o the extent that Astro and/or Boeing were aware of the matters set forth in the Demand Letter [for arbitration] prior to the acquisition of Hughes, they might have had an obligation to disclose these circumstances to Reinsurers prior to the inclusion of the former Hughes companies as insureds under the Policy and the reinsurance contracts.\u201d\nFinally, Kiln acknowledged the potential conflict of interest between plaintiffs and Boeing, noting, inter alia, that the reservation of rights \u201cwith respect to whether the [underlying] claims are for damage that was \u2018expected\u2019 by Boeing, may lead to a divergence of interest between Boeing and Reinsurers.\u201d In regard to the potential conflict with Boeing, Kiln stated:\n\u201cReinsurers believe that, absent Boeing\u2019s express written agreement, Reinsurers should not \u2018control\u2019 the defence [sic] of the [Underlying Action] pursuant to the Claims Handling Agreement with Astro or otherwise. Reinsurers\u2019 participation in the defence [sic] for the present time and subject to all the prior reservations will therefore be satisfied by their agreement to fund the defence [sic] of Boeing by independent defence [sic] counsel selected by Boeing.\n$ ^ $\nReinsurers expect that Boeing will vigorously defend against a claim by [Underlying Claimants] regarding the matters set forth in the [arbitration] Demand Letter.\u201d\nKiln stated that Reinsurers \u201cmay wish to consult with Boeing and Astro in matters relating to overall strategy\u201d and requested that independent defense counsel provide them with \u201ccopies of all submissions in the arbitration proceedings and similar documents, and to provide regular status reports to Reinsurers.\u201d\nIn the ongoing Underlying Action, the arbitration tribunal rejected Underlying Claimants\u2019 requests to take document discovery against Boeing, but did order Underlying Claimants to produce certain documents. The rules governing international arbitrations do not permit deposition discovery. The arbitration tribunal also held that \u201call information and documents produced by a party in this arbitration shall be kept confidential by the other parties *** and they shall be used only in connection with this arbitration.\u201d\nPrior to the arbitration hearing in the Underlying Action, plaintiffs sought certain documentation from Boeing in order to investigate and make a coverage determination for its reinsurance policy with Astro. In a July 26, 2005, letter to Boeing\u2019s director of insurance litigation and claims, plaintiffs\u2019 counsel requested \u201ccertain documents that bear on the underlying claim.\u201d Plaintiffs\u2019 counsel asserted that Boeing denied plaintiffs access to certain documentation due to restrictions imposed under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). ITAR and the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) (22 U.S.C. \u00a72778 (1994 & Supp. IV 1998)) govern the disclosure of certain satellite technology to non-United States persons and entities. Plaintiffs\u2019 counsel acknowledged that a license or \u201cTechnical Assistance Agreement\u201d (TAA) from the United States government was the only means to allow disclosure of ITAR-protected information to companies or individuals who are not United States citizens. Plaintiffs\u2019 counsel objected to Boeing\u2019s decision to include in its application for a TAA only those plaintiffs that have no involvement in the Underlying Action.\nPlaintiffs\u2019 counsel requested access to the withheld information and proposed building an \u201cethical wall\u201d due to plaintiffs\u2019 conflict of interest with Boeing:\n\u201cThe insurers that undertake aviation and space risks are fairly limited, like the companies that seek insurance relating to risks arising out of the manufacture, launch and operation of aviation and space equipment. As such, these insurers routinely handle matters in which their insureds have a potential conflict of interest. Consequently, these insurers are adept at establishing procedures to prohibit any dissemination of confidential information that may affect the interests of their insureds. In this instance, Reinsurers immediately advised Astro Limited and Boeing that certain Reinsurers were also insurers of Thuraya, and subsequently subrogated claimants. Reinsurers advised Boeing that they had put in place internal mechanisms to protect all information provided by Boeing and its defense counsel from being communicated or otherwise shared with any person with responsibilities in handling matters on behalf of the 702 satellite owners.\u201d (Emphasis added.)\nPlaintiffs\u2019 counsel requested all nonprivileged information to investigate coverage issues, including defense counsel\u2019s detailed billing invoices from the past, present and future. Plaintiffs\u2019 counsel claimed that Boeing was billing for efforts undertaken regarding unrelated litigation involving other 702 series satellites. Plaintiffs\u2019 counsel asserted that Boeing\u2019s duty to cooperate obligates it to provide the reasonable access requested.\nIn a September 8, 2005, letter to Boeing, plaintiffs\u2019 counsel acknowledged that many of the documents sought by plaintiffs were subject to restrictions imposed under ITAR. Plaintiffs\u2019 counsel claimed that Boeing was not justified in taking such a broad view of ITAR and was going beyond what was required under the law. Plaintiffs\u2019 counsel again offered to enter into a confidentiality agreement with Boeing and plaintiffs of United States citizenship \u201cto further demonstrate [plaintiffs\u2019] willingness to maintain the ITAR-protected documents strictly confidential.\u201d Consequently, \u201cU.S. Reinsurer representatives and members of our firm can conduct the required investigation into the serious questions concerning coverage raised by the underlying claim.\u201d Plaintiffs\u2019 counsel noted that by agreeing to enter into the confidentiality agreement, \u201cBoeing will thereby be cooperating with its Reinsurers in a manner that is consistent with the law.\u201d In addition, plaintiffs\u2019 counsel requested that, if Boeing would not agree to enter into a confidentiality agreement with plaintiffs of United States citizenship, plaintiffs would accept redacted documents instead.\nIn a January 12, 2006, letter to Boeing, plaintiffs\u2019 counsel requested four categories of alleged non-ITAR-controlled information, as follows: (1) \u201c[c]ontracts with amendments for 702 satellites that originally included or contemplated the [SCA] at issue\u201d; (2) \u201c[i]nformation concerning the investment of Boeing and/or BSSI in Thuraya\u201d;\n(3) \u201c[information concerning any demands made by Boeing to the former owner of [Hughes] concerning the 702 satellite failures\u201d; and (4) \u201cinformation about the negotiation and accommodation in sales price of [Hughes].\u201d\nOn June 8, 2006, plaintiffs filed an abridged complaint for declaratory judgment pursuant to section 2 \u2014 701 of the Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2 \u2014 701 (West 2006)), seeking a declaration of their obligations, if any, under the contracts of insurance and reinsurance relating to the claims asserted against Boeing. Plaintiffs\u2019 declaratory judgment action included claims that Galaxy XI was the first satellite launched to incorporate the SCA system and that Boeing produced four additional 702 series satellites with SCA systems after the launch of Thuraya Dl, all of which encountered power generation problems. Plaintiffs\u2019 complaint asserted that, \u201c[s]ince November 2004, [plaintiffs] have sought information relevant to their coverage investigation from Boeing\u201d and that, \u201c[t]o date, Boeing has not provided [plaintiffs] with the information necessary to establish coverage under the insurance contracts.\u201d Plaintiffs\u2019 complaint also stated, \u201c[t]he allegations asserted by UNDERLYING CLAIMANTS against BOEING raise significant issues as to whether this claim is covered under the terms and conditions of the insurance contracts.\u201d Further, plaintiffs claimed, \u201c[t]he allegations asserted against Boeing suggest that the claim may fall outside of the coverage provided.\u201d Plaintiffs also noted that they \u201cagreed to fund, and have been funding, their share of BOEING\u2019s defense in respect of this claim under a full reservation of their rights, until a coverage determination can be made.\u201d Finally, plaintiffs claimed, \u201c[a]n actual, ripe and justiciable controversy exists between UNDERWRITERS, ASTRO and BOEING regarding UNDERWRITERS\u2019 obligations, if any, under the contracts of insurance and reinsurance.\u201d\nOn December 12, 2006, Boeing moved to stay the declaratory judgment proceedings until: (1) plaintiffs obtain a TAA so that discovery may proceed without violating AECA and ITAR, and (2) the underlying arbitration against Boeing is concluded, \u201cto avoid the risk of prejudice to Boeing\u2019s interest\u201d posed by the Underlying Action. Astro did not oppose Boeing\u2019s motion to stay proceedings. In its motion, Boeing noted the dual role of certain plaintiffs in this case as reinsurers of Astro .and insurers of Thuraya. Boeing argued that the dual role of these certain plaintiffs presents a conflict of interest because they also are claimants seeking reimbursement from Boeing in the Underlying Action.\nBoeing asserted that plaintiffs\u2019 coverage defense overlaps with Underlying Claimants\u2019 theory of liability and that a finding against Boeing in the declaratory judgment action here would establish a violation in the Underlying Action by the doctrine of collateral estoppel or issue preclusion. In addition, Boeing contended that plaintiffs\u2019 use of Illinois discovery tools would undermine the discovery and confidentiality rulings in the Underlying Action. Boeing argued that discovery in this case would allow the dual-role plaintiffs to circumvent the international arbitration tribunal\u2019s orders restricting the type and timing of discovery and confidentiality of the information disclosed in the arbitration. Boeing contended there is a substantial risk that evidence developed from discovery in the declaratory judgment proceedings may find its way into the hands of the dual-role plaintiffs arbitrating against Boeing. According to Boeing, a coverage determination at this point would pose a severe risk of prejudice to its interests in the Underlying Action and, therefore, a stay is warranted until the conclusion of the international arbitration.\nIn response to Boeing\u2019s motion to stay proceedings, plaintiffs argued that their declaratory judgment action presents separate issues from those contested in the Underlying Action. Plaintiffs claimed that \u201cthe allegations of [Underlying Claimants in the Underlying Action] taken as true appear to squarely meet the terms of\u201d certain policy exclusions in Astro\u2019s insurance contract regarding the failure \u201cto meet the level of performance, quality, fitness or durability warranted\u201d by Boeing. Plaintiffs also noted Astro\u2019s direct insurance policy exclusion for \u201cdamages claimed for the withdrawal, *** replacement, modification, loss of use or restricted use of *** SPACECRAFT PRODUCTS *** if such products *** are withdrawn from the market or from use *** because of any known or suspected defect or deficiency therein.\u201d Plaintiffs further noted that Boeing admitted in its answer that the SCA systems utilized in Galaxy XI, Thuraya D1 and four subsequent 702 series satellites were not used on any subsequent satellite manufactured by Boeing. Plaintiffs stated that they \u201chave no reason to believe that these insurance contract provisions will be addressed in the underlying arbitration.\u201d\nIn addition, plaintiffs responded that they intend to pursue evidence concerning whether Astro \u201chad the duty to disclose information to Plaintiffs and/or Boeing had the duty to disclose information to [Astro] concerning the performance of the Galaxy XI satellite at the time Boeing added the newly acquired [BSSI] to the Astro policy.\u201d Plaintiffs further argued that staying discovery in the declaratory judgment proceedings is inefficient and not in the interests of justice.\nOn July 27, 2007, the circuit court heard oral argument on Boeing\u2019s motion to stay proceedings. During oral argument, counsel for Boeing asserted that the discovery rulings in the Underlying Action \u201cseverely limited discovery, and even routine discovery here would be something that [Underlying Claimants] in the [Underlying Action] could not get.\u201d Boeing also argued that proceeding in the declaratory judgment action would pose a significant danger because of the involvement of dual-role plaintiffs in both cases.\nPlaintiffs responded that the allegations in the Underlying Action and the declaratory judgment action are different because the Underlying Action corresponds to a breach of contract, whereas the declaratory judgment action involves the determination of coverage for an insurance contract. Plaintiffs contended that the exclusions from Astro\u2019s insurance policy have no overlap with the Underlying Action. Counsel for plaintiffs also stated, however, \u201c[w]e do not dispute that there is also the allegation in the [Underlying Action] about whether Boeing intentionally did \u2014 you know, knew about this information and failed to disclose it to Thuraya.\u201d Plaintiffs\u2019 counsel stated that, \u201cof course, the intentional conduct, would not be covered under the insurance,\u201d but \u201cthe primary bases of the reservation of rights and [plaintiffs\u2019] concerns are really about these exclusions.\u201d In addition, plaintiffs\u2019 counsel stated:\n\u201cI think the real issue here, Your Honor, is whether it\u2019s appropriate for there to be a motion to stay.\nI mean, certainly, we do not disagree. And I think Boeing also set forth in its brief that there are certain facts \u2014 certain facts that would be common to the underlying arbitration and certain facts that the reinsurers would seek to investigate whether coverage is afforded under these agreements.\nBut they have really different applications to these two contracts, very different applications, and that\u2019s what\u2019s key.\u201d\nThe court granted Boeing\u2019s motion on May 25, 2007, ordering a stay of discovery and the declaratory judgment proceedings until plaintiffs obtain a TAA in compliance with ITAR and the Underlying Action concludes. The court held that overlapping issues and discovery complications justified a stay until the Underlying Action was completed. Plaintiffs timely filed their interlocutory appeal.\nII. ANALYSIS\nIn this interlocutory appeal, we determine whether the circuit court abused its discretion by ordering a stay of the declaratory judgment proceedings. As will be discussed later in this opinion, we also determine whether plaintiffs\u2019 declaratory judgment action is ripe for adjudication and whether a conflict of interest precludes discovery in this case until the conclusion of the Underlying Action.\nPlaintiffs argue on appeal that the circuit court abused its discretion by failing to hold Boeing to its burden of proof that a stay was warranted. Plaintiffs assert that, assuming a total overlap of issues exists in this case, the court had no basis on which to grant a stay because Boeing never met its burden of proof by clear and convincing evidence that any overlap would predetermine the outcome of, or have any bearing on, the Underlying Action.\nPlaintiffs also assert that Boeing has the burden to prove the rulings in this coverage action would have a collateral estoppel effect on the Underlying Action. Plaintiffs rely upon Murphy v. Urso, 88 Ill. 2d 444 (1981), arguing that, in Illinois, the decisive factor in determining whether a declaratory judgment action should proceed before resolution of the underlying matter is whether any rulings in the declaratory judgment action would have collateral estoppel effect. Plaintiffs contend that Boeing introduced no evidence of the laws of the UAE and, thus, no valid basis exists to assume that collateral estoppel or any similar doctrine applies. Plaintiffs point out that the UAE has a civil law system, which does not follow the doctrine of stare decisis. Plaintiffs argue, therefore, that there is no evidence collateral estoppel or any similar doctrine could serve to potentially prejudice Boeing in the Underlying Action. In addition, plaintiffs contend they constructed ethical walls so that no prejudice would inhere from the fact that certain plaintiffs are also Underlying Claimants in the Underlying Action.\nBoeing responds that a stay is warranted because the declaratory judgment proceedings raise issues substantially similar to those in the Underlying Action, which could prejudice the defense of that action. Boeing argues plaintiffs\u2019 assertion that an insured has the burden of proof to establish the elements of collateral estoppel in cases where coverage is determined prior to the underlying action is not supported by Illinois law. Boeing contends that the court properly ordered a stay based on plaintiffs\u2019 admission of overlap of issues between the declaratory judgment action and the Underlying Action. Boeing asserts a declaratory judgment action that raises the same issues in an ongoing, unresolved underlying litigation is premature regardless of whether the collateral estoppel doctrine applies.\nA. Standard of Review\nIn an interlocutory appeal from an order granting a motion to stay proceedings, the scope of review is limited to an examination of whether the circuit court abused its discretion in granting the stay. See Estate of Bass v. Katten, 375 Ill. App. 3d 62, 67 (2007). \u201cUnder the abuse-of-discretion standard, a reviewing court does not decide whether it agrees with the circuit court\u2019s decision but, rather, determines whether the circuit court \u2018 \u201c \u2018acted arbitrarily without the employment of conscientious judgment or, in view of all the circumstances, exceeded the bounds of reason and ignored recognized principles of law so that substantial prejudice resulted.\u2019 \u201d [Citations.]\u2019 [Citation.]\u201d Estate of Bass, 375 Ill. App. 3d at 67. On interlocutory appeal, the reviewing court determines \u201c \u2018whether there was a sufficient showing made to the [circuit] court to sustain its order granting or denying the relief sought.\u2019 \u201d Estate of Bass, 375 Ill. App. 3d at 67, quoting Lindsey v. Board of Education of the City of Chicago, 127 Ill. App. 3d 413, 418 (1984). \u201cA reviewing court looks to the sufficiency of the evidence, not to determine controverted rights or to decide the merits of the case, but only for the limited purpose of ascertaining whether the [circuit] court abused its discretion in entering the interlocutory order.\u201d Estate of Bass, 375 Ill. App. 3d at 67-68, citing Lindsey, 127 Ill. App. 3d at 418.\nB. Order to Stay Declaratory Judgment Proceedings\n\u201cA stay order seeks only to preserve the status quo existing on the date of its entry and does not address in any way the merits of the underlying dispute.\u201d Kaden v. Pucinski, 263 Ill. App. 3d 611, 615 (1994). \u201cThe circuit court may stay proceedings as part of its inherent authority to control the disposition of cases before it.\u201d Philips Electronics, N.V. v. New Hampshire Insurance Co., 295 Ill. App. 3d 895, 901 (1998). The moving party must prove by clear and convincing evidence that a stay of the proceedings outweighs the potential harm to the party against whom it is operative. Zurich Insurance Co. v. Raymark Industries, Inc., 213 Ill. App. 3d 591, 595 (1991). Thus, the party seeking the stay must \u201c \u2018make out a clear case of hardship or inequity in being required to go forward, if there is even a fair possibility that the stay for which he prays will work damage to someone else.\u2019 \u201d Zurich Insurance, 213 Ill. App. 3d at 595, quoting Landis v. North American Co., 299 U.S. 248, 254-55, 81 L. Ed. 153, 158, 57 S. Ct. 163, 165-66 (1936).\nC. Plaintiffs\u2019 Role in the Instant Case\nIn this case, the parties have not indicated whether plaintiffs are to be considered both as reinsurers and insurers in their declaratory judgment action, although plaintiffs request a determination of their obligations under both policies. Illinois courts have not addressed a scenario where the reinsurer pursues a declaratory judgment action to determine obligations on both the reinsurance and direct insurance contracts.\nGenerally, \u201can agreement of reinsurance is a promise by one insurance company to reimburse the original insurer should it be compelled to pay under the policy of direct insurance the insured who suffered the original loss.\u201d In re Liquidations of Reserve Insurance Co., 122 Ill. 2d 555, 562 (1988). The supreme court has observed that the interest in which the direct insurer has in an insurance contract is separate and distinct from the interest which the reinsurer has in a reinsurance contract. See In re Liquidations of Reserve Insurance, 122 Ill. 2d at 562; People ex rel. Baylor v. Highway Insurance Co., 57 Ill. 2d 590, 594-95 (1974). \u201c \u2018 \u201cThe ordinary contract of re-insurance operates solely between the insurer and the re-insurer, and creates no privity whatever between the re-insurer and the person originally insured.\u201d \u2019 \u201d People ex rel. Baylor, 57 Ill. 2d at 594, quoting Vial v. Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society, 257 Ill. 355, 358 (1913). The supreme court in People ex rel. Baylor found that, absent special circumstances, a contract of insurance is separate from a contract of reinsurance and that the reinsurer does not have any liability to the person originally insured. People ex rel. Baylor, 57 Ill. 2d at 595.\nThe People ex rel. Baylor court, however, noted an exception to the general rule, i.e., \u201cspecial circumstances,\u201d as elucidated in a Missouri Supreme Court case:\n\u201c \u2018[I]n any case where the contract of reinsurance is more than a mere contract of indemnity, and is made for the benefit of the policyholders of the reinsured, and by it the reinsurer assumes the liability of the latter on its policies, the liability of the reinsurer may be directly enforced by the insured, or by his privies.\u2019 \u201d First National Bank of Kansas City v. Higgins, 357 S.W.2d 139, 143 (Mo. 1962), quoting G. Couch, Cyclopedia of Insurance Law \u00a72276, at 7434 (1931).\nThe Higgins court held that \u201ca reinsurance contract may be drawn in such form and with such provisions so as to create a liability on the part of the reinsurer directly to the original insured,\u201d which \u201cmust be based on the theory that the original insured is a third party beneficiary of the reinsurance agreement.\u201d Higgins, 357 S.W.2d at 143.\nIn this case, plaintiffs\u2019 reinsurance contract follows the exception to the general rule as noted in Higgins. Here, we can surmise from the record that plaintiffs not only owe a duty as reinsurers, but also have assumed the duties of the insurer. First and foremost, plaintiffs\u2019 abridged complaint for declaratory judgment requests a coverage determination under both the reinsurance and direct insurance policies. Next, the reinsurance policy at issue includes the simultaneous payments clause, which demonstrates that Astro\u2019s coverage under plaintiffs\u2019 policy is coextensive with Astro\u2019s direct insurance coverage obligations to Boeing. Certain plaintiffs also entered into a claims handling agreement in connection with the direct liability insurance afforded to Boeing under Astro\u2019s policy. Plaintiffs agreed to fund the defense of Boeing in the Underlying Action and stated as such in their abridged complaint for declaratory judgment. Kiln, Astro\u2019s leading reinsurer, reserved plaintiffs\u2019 right to contest coverage under Astro\u2019s direct insurance policy. The record on appeal and the briefs submitted by the parties characterize plaintiffs\u2019 role in this litigation as direct insurers without objection, even though plaintiffs also are re-insurers. Accordingly, we find that special circumstances require our analysis to consider plaintiffs as both reinsurers and direct insurers for the purposes of this interlocutory appeal. See People ex rel. Baylor, 57 Ill. 2d at 595; Higgins, 357 S.W.2d at 142-44. Having determined plaintiffs\u2019 simultaneous roles, we will address their duties as reinsurers and insurers separately.\nD. Plaintiffs\u2019 Duty as Reinsurers\nIllinois courts have held that \u201ca contract of reinsurance is not one of insurance but simply one of indemnity, and that the contract of insurance and that of reinsurance remain totally distinct and unconnected.\u201d In re Liquidations of Reserve Insurance, 122 Ill. 2d at 564. Plaintiffs\u2019 reservation of rights letter acknowledged their duty as reinsurers to indemnify, stating \u201c[a]ny duty on the part of Reinsurers to pay indemnity in respect of any sums due to [Underlying Claimants] will depend on the actual facts as determined \u2014 not mere allegations in the Demand letter or any subsequent arbitration demand.\u201d Accordingly, plaintiffs acknowledge their sole duty as reinsurers in this case is the duty to indemnify.\nE. Plaintiffs\u2019 Duties as Insurers\n\u201cUnder Illinois law an insured contracts for and has a right to expect two separate and distinct duties from an insurer: (1) the duty to defend him if a claim is made against him; and (2) the duty to indemnify him if he is found legally liable for the occurrence of a covered risk.\u201d Chandler v. Doherty, 299 Ill. App. 3d 797, 801 (1998), citing Conway v. Country Casualty Insurance Co., 92 Ill. 2d 388, 394 (1982). \u201cAn insurer\u2019s duty to defend *** is broader than its duty to indemnify.\u201d Hartford Fire Insurance Co. v. Whitehall Convalescent & Nursing Home, Inc., 321 Ill. App. 3d 879, 888, 748 N.E.2d 674 (2001). An insurer may be required to defend its insured even when, ultimately, there may be no obligation to indemnify. Chandler, 299 Ill. App. 3d at 801, citing Zurich Insurance Co. v. Raymark Industries, Inc., 118 Ill. 2d 23, 52 (1987).\nIllinois courts consistently have identified two options for an insurer taking the position that a complaint potentially alleging coverage is not covered under a policy which provides that the insurer has the right and duty to defend any claims brought against the insured. State Farm & Fire Casualty Co. v. Martin, 186 Ill. 2d 367, 373 (1999); Murphy, 88 Ill. 2d at 451. The insurer must \u201c(1) defend the suit under a reservation of rights or (2) seek a declaratory judgment that there is no coverage.\u201d Employers Insurance of Wausau v. Ehlco Liquidating Trust, 186 Ill. 2d 127, 150 (1999); see also Murphy, 88 Ill. 2d at 451. Plaintiffs both reserved their rights under their reinsurance policy and Astro\u2019s direct insurance policy, and also sought a declaratory judgment to determine their obligations under both policies.\nA brief review of Illinois law regarding an insurer\u2019s duty to defend is pertinent to our analysis here. An insurer\u2019s duty to defend is determined by comparing the allegations in the underlying complaint to the relevant provisions of the insurance policy. Outboard Marine Corp. v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., 154 Ill. 2d 90, 107-08 (1992). If an underlying complaint alleges facts within or potentially within coverage, the insurer is obligated to defend its insured even if the allegations are groundless, false or fraudulent. Hartford Fire Insurance, 321 Ill. App. 3d at 888. The insurer justifiably refuses to defend the insured if it is clear from the face of the underlying complaint that the allegations fail to state facts which bring the cause within or potentially within coverage. Dixon Distributing Co. v. Hanover Insurance Co., 161 Ill. 2d 433, 439 (1994); Outboard Marine Corp., 154 Ill. 2d at 125; Hartford Fire Insurance, 321 Ill. App. 3d at 888. If several theories of recovery are alleged in the underlying complaint against the insured, the insurer\u2019s duty to defend arises even if only one of several theories is within the potential coverage of the policy. Hartford Fire Insurance, 321 Ill. App. 3d at 888, citing Bituminous Casualty Corp. v. Fulkerson, 212 Ill. App. 3d 556, 564 (1991). \u201cFurthermore, if the insurer relies on an exclusionary provision, it must be clear and free from doubt that the policy\u2019s exclusion prevents coverage.\u201d Hartford Fire Insurance, 321 Ill. App. 3d at 888.\nIn their abridged complaint for declaratory judgment, plaintiffs stated that \u201c[t]he allegations asserted by UNDERLYING CLAIMANTS against BOEING raise significant issues as to whether this claim is covered under the terms and conditions of the insurance contracts.\u201d Furthermore, plaintiffs\u2019 complaint stated that \u201c[t]he allegations asserted against Boeing [in the Underlying Action] suggest that the claim may fall outside of the coverage provided.\u201d (Emphasis added.) Thus, plaintiffs\u2019 complaint admits that the facts alleged against Boeing in the Underlying Action may also fall within, or potentially within, the applicable coverage provisions. The record also shows plaintiffs again admitted to the existence of common facts asserted in the Underlying Action that potentially fall within coverage during oral argument on Boeing\u2019s motion to stay proceedings.\nIn addition, plaintiffs\u2019 response to Boeing\u2019s motion to stay proceedings asserts that \u201cthe allegations of [Underlying Claimants in the Underlying Action] taken as true appear to squarely meet the terms of\u2019 certain policy exclusions in Astro\u2019s direct insurance policy regarding the failure \u201cto meet the level of performance, quality, fitness or durability warranted\u201d by Boeing. (Emphasis added.) Therefore, plaintiffs\u2019 response admits that their reliance on an exclusionary provision is not \u201cclear and free from doubt that the policy\u2019s exclusion prevents coverage.\u201d\n\u201cThe determination of rights and obligations under an insurance policy is a question of law for the court to decide.\u201d National Fire Insurance Co. of Hartford v. Kilfoy, 375 Ill. App. 3d 530, 534 (2007). Here, in the interest of judicial economy, we find as a matter of law that plaintiffs have a duty to defend Boeing because plaintiffs admitted both in their pleadings and in their oral argument the existence of common facts alleged in the Underlying Action that bring the cause within or potentially within coverage. See Dixon Distributing Co., 161 Ill. 2d at 439; Outboard Marine Corp., 154 Ill. 2d at 125-26; Hartford Fire Insurance, 321 Ill. App. 3d at 888; see also Calloway v. Allstate Insurance Co., 138 Ill. App. 3d 545, 549 (1985) (\u201cAllegations contained in a complaint are judicial admissions and are conclusive against the pleader\u201d); Reis v. Aetna Casualty & Surety Co. of Illinois, 69 Ill. App. 3d 777, 785 (1978) (finding that the insurer had a duty to defend by admission conceded in its brief).\nEven if we ignored plaintiffs\u2019 admissions, plaintiffs still have a duty to defend. A comparison of facts alleged in the Underlying Action and coverage within the direct insurance policy shows, for example, that Underlying Claimants assert that Thuraya D1 did not meet performance and functionality requirements. Astro\u2019s liability coverage, as assumed by plaintiffs, includes an exclusion for:\n\u201c[D]amages claimed for the withdrawal, inspection, repair, replacement, modification, loss of use or restricted use of AIRCRAFT PRODUCTS or SPACECRAFT PRODUCTS or work completed by or for the NAMED INSURED or any property of which such products or work form a part, if such products, work or property are withdrawn from the market or from use or subject to restricted use because of any known or suspected defect or deficiency therein.\u201d\nBoth the Underlying Action and plaintiffs\u2019 declaratory judgment action seek a factual determination of whether Boeing knew or suspected a defect involving Thuraya D1 and other related satellites within Boeing\u2019s 702 series. Therefore, a review comparing the allegations in the Underlying Action to the relevant provisions of the direct insurance policy also shows that the facts alleged against Boeing fall within, or potentially within, the policy coverage provisions, thereby triggering plaintiffs\u2019 duty to defend. Outboard Marine Corp., 154 Ill. 2d at 125-26.\nHaving determined as a matter of law that plaintiffs have a duty to defend the original insured, Boeing, plaintiffs\u2019 remaining duty in their role as insurers is to indemnify. Thus, plaintiffs\u2019 roles both as re-insurers and insurers is to indemnify.\nThe duty to indemnify is narrower than the duty to defend. Outboard Marine Corp., 154 Ill. 2d at 127. \u201c[T]he question of whether the insurer has a duty to indemnify the insured for a particular liability is only ripe for consideration if the insured has already incurred liability in the underlying claim against it.\u201d Outboard Marine Corp., 154 Ill. 2d at 127.\nF. Ripeness of Plaintiffs\u2019 Declaratory Judgment Action\n\u201cTo maintain a declaratory judgment action, there must be an actual controversy between the parties capable of being affected by a determination of the case.\u201d Weber v. St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Co., 251 Ill. App. 3d 371, 372 (1993). Whether an action is considered \u201cpremature\u201d or unripe for adjudication focuses on an evaluation of the fitness of the issue for judicial decision at that point in time. Weber, 251 Ill. App. 3d at 372-73. Neither of the parties in this case raised the issue of whether plaintiffs\u2019 declaratory judgment action is ripe for adjudication, but we address it here as dispositive of the circuit court\u2019s judgment to grant Boeing\u2019s motion to stay proceedings.\nIn Weber, the reviewing court addressed whether, absent a finding of liability and a judgment for treble damages in the underlying action, a determination of the insurance company\u2019s obligation to indemnify is premature, regardless of which party brings the declaratory judgment action. There, the plaintiff brought a declaratory judgment action as executor of the decedent\u2019s estate. The decedent had wandered away from his nursing home and eventually died due to exposure to the elements. The plaintiff sought a declaration that the insurance policy issued by the defendant insurer on behalf of the nursing home included coverage for exposure to statutory treble damages. The circuit court granted the plaintiff\u2019s motion for summary judgment, finding that the policy included coverage for treble damages under the statute. On appeal, the defendant argued that the circuit court should have dismissed the declaratory judgment action for lack of an actual controversy.\nInitially, the Weber court distinguished the defendant\u2019s argument as a question of ripeness rather than a question of standing to bring the declaratory judgment action. See also Stokes v. Pekin Insurance Co., 298 Ill. App. 3d 278, 281 (1998). The Weber court noted that the defendant did not challenge its duty to defend the insured in the underlying action. Instead, the defendant questioned whether it had a duty under its policy to indemnify the plaintiff if treble damages were awarded.\nThe Weber court then distinguished the issue of ripeness in cases involving the duty to defend in contrast to the duty to indemnify:\n\u201c[T]he issue of a duty to defend is generally ripe for adjudication soon after the occurrence giving rise to the claim. Whether or not there is a duty to indemnify, however, does not arise until an insured becomes legally obligated to pay damages in the underlying action.\u201d Weber, 251 Ill. App. 3d at 373, citing Bituminous Casualty Corp., 212 Ill. App. 3d at 561.\nSee also Batteast v. Argonaut Insurance Co., 118 Ill. App. 3d 4, 5-6 (1983). In addition, the Weber court noted that \u201c[a] declaratory judgment action is not intended to permit moot or hypothetical cases, or to enable parties to secure advisory opinions or legal advice from the court with respect to future difficulties, i.e., there must be an actual controversy between the parties.\u201d Weber, 251 Ill. App. 3d at 373.\nThe Weber court held that the circuit court erred by denying the defendant\u2019s motion to dismiss the plaintiff\u2019s declaratory judgment action as premature, stating:\n\u201c[A] declaratory judgment action brought to determine an insurer\u2019s duty to indemnify its insured, brought prior to a determination of the insured\u2019s liability, is premature since the question to be determined is not ripe before adjudication of the underlying action.\u201d Weber, 251 Ill. App. 3d at 373-74, citing Bituminous Casualty Corp., 212 Ill. App. 3d at 561.\nSee also Batteast, 118 Ill. App. 3d at 5-6.\nThe court in Stokes also addressed the issue of whether the plaintiffs\u2019 declaratory judgment action was premature prior to a finding of liability. The Stokes court first noted that an actual controversy \u201cexists where there is a legitimate dispute admitting of an immediate and definite determination of the parties\u2019 rights, the resolution of which would help terminate all or part of the dispute.\u201d Stokes, 298 Ill. App. 3d at 280-81, citing Dolezal v. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, S.C., 266 Ill. App. 3d 1070, 1083 (1994). The plaintiffs, as injured parties, sought declaratory judgment to determine whether the defendant insurer\u2019s $100,000 or $300,000 per-accident coverage limit applied. The circuit court granted the defendant\u2019s motion to dismiss the declaratory judgment action.\nOn appeal, the plaintiffs argued that the issue of liability in the underlying suit and the declaratory judgment action were entirely different and that none of the facts in one case would arise in the trial of the other. The Stokes court disagreed, stating that any declaratory judgment action as to whether the policy limit was above $100,000 would be meaningless if the underlying liability ultimately was determined to be greater than $100,000. The Stokes court emphasized the relevance of the declaratory judgment action as \u201cintegrally related to the underlying suit of liability.\u201d Stokes, 298 Ill. App. 3d at 284.\nThe Stokes court found that the plaintiffs\u2019 complaint failed to show an actual controversy because it contained bare allegations. For example, the plaintiffs\u2019 complaint alleged, \u201c \u2018[i]t is the position of the Defendant that their maximum limit of liability for all damages sustained by all parties is limited by the \u201cEach Person\u201d limit\u2019 and that \u2018[t]here is an actual controversy between plaintiffs and defendant, the resolution which will aid in the termination of the controversy or some part thereof.\u2019 \u201d Stokes, 298 Ill. App. 3d at 284. In its holding, the Stokes court reasoned, \u201c[i]f we were to find an \u2018actual controversy\u2019 based upon the bare allegations in plaintiffs\u2019 complaint, we must find an \u2018actual controversy\u2019 in every complaint which seeks a declaratory judgment as to liability limits, even if there is little chance that liability will ultimately exceed the disputed limits.\u201d Stokes, 298 Ill. App. 3d at 284. The Stokes court affirmed the circuit court\u2019s decision to dismiss the plaintiffs\u2019 declaratory judgment action as premature. Stokes, 298 Ill. App. 3d at 284-85.\nIn the instant case, plaintiffs both agreed to and admitted their duty to defend under the direct insurance policy and we determined plaintiffs\u2019 duty to defend as a matter of law. As in Weber and Stokes, the duty to indemnify remains as the only issue for resolution in plaintiffs\u2019 declaratory judgment action. The duty to indemnify cannot be defined in this case until adjudication of the Underlying Action. Furthermore, as in Stokes, plaintiffs\u2019 abridged complaint for declaratory judgment contains bare allegations lacking detail as to their own claim and an actual controversy. Plaintiffs alleged that \u201c[a]n actual, ripe and justiciable controversy exists between UNDERWRITERS, ASTRO and BOEING regarding UNDERWRITERS\u2019 obligations, if any, under the contracts of insurance and reinsurance,\u201d but provided no details as to how or why their claims were actual, ripe or justiciable. Instead, the gist of plaintiffs\u2019 complaint consisted of an effort to obtain information relevant to their coverage investigation. Plaintiffs\u2019 abridged complaint for declaratory judgment, essentially, amounted to a request for discovery, which does not qualify as \u201ca legitimate dispute admitting of an immediate and definite determination of the parties\u2019 rights, the resolution of which would help terminate all or part of the dispute.\u201d Stokes, 298 Ill. App. 3d at 280-81, citing Dolezal, 266 Ill. App. 3d at 1083.\nIn this case, because the issue of liability in the Underlying Action has not been adjudicated and plaintiffs\u2019 abridged complaint for declaratory judgment failed to show that the underlying facts and issues of the case are not premature, we find from a procedural standpoint that the circuit court did not abuse its discretion by granting Boeing\u2019s motion to stay proceedings. Furthermore, the circuit court could not abuse its discretion where the complaint before it was not ripe for adjudication. As a result of our findings, we need not reach the issue of whether Boeing was required to prove the elements of collateral estoppel to meet its burden of proof for its motion to stay proceedings.\nPlaintiffs insist that whether the issues in both cases overlap is not dispositive and the litmus test is only whether collateral estoppel would apply to the Underlying Action from a ruling in the declaratory judgment proceedings, following Murphy, 88 Ill. 2d at 455. As the arbitration before the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris applies the civil law system of the UAE and that law does not recognize the principle of collateral estoppel, the holding in Murphy would provide a basis for denying the motion to stay.\nWe find that Murphy is applicable only in regard to its finding that a declaratory judgment is an unacceptable vehicle of litigation where the issues in the underlying suit and the declaratory judgment action are substantially the same. Murphy, 88 Ill. 2d at 455. Otherwise, Murphy is inapplicable to the instant case because, there, the issue before the supreme court was whether the insurer waived its policy defenses to a garnishment suit when the insurer failed to either defend its insured or seek a judgment declaring that it had no duty to defend. Likewise, this court\u2019s holding in Home Insurance Co. of Illinois v. Hooper, 294 Ill. App. 3d 626 (1998), is inapplicable because, in that case, the indemnification issues set forth in the declaratory action involved purely legal issues and were not in any way reliant upon facts to be presented in the underlying action. In addition, Home Insurance Co. is not applicable because the insurer denied that it had a duty to defend.\nG. Undue Prejudice Warrants a Stay\nWe also hold that the circuit court did not abuse its discretion from a substantive standpoint because Boeing satisfied its burden of proof that a stay was warranted based upon the undue prejudice that would result if discovery were allowed. Plaintiffs\u2019 claim for declaratory judgment raises an issue not presented by the facts in Weber, Stokes or Batteast. Those cases did not involve discovery complications as in the instant case.\nHere, what prompts plaintiffs\u2019 declaratory judgment action is the objective to establish disputed factual issues through discovery in order to circumvent the strict discovery rulings made in the Underlying Action and use the restricted information to the prejudice of Boeing. Although plaintiffs relinquished their control over and agreed to fund the defense of the Underlying Action, they persist in their efforts to gain access to information from Boeing that overlaps with the issues to be resolved in the Underlying Action, including information regarding alleged intentional conduct pertinent to both the Underlying Action and the coverage determination.\nIn this case, if the circuit court permitted discovery in the declaratory judgment action prior to the resolution of the Underlying Action, plaintiffs would then be allowed to \u201clay the groundwork\u201d for both a later denial of coverage and circumvent the discovery rulings made in the Underlying Action. This result unfairly would benefit the dual-role Reinsurers participating both as plaintiffs in this case and as Underlying Claimants.\n\u201cAn insurer has a duty of fairness to its insureds and may not put its own interest ahead of the protection of its insureds.\u201d RLI Insurance Co. v. Illinois National Insurance Co., 335 Ill. App. 3d 633, 647 (2002). In addition to the duty to defend, \u201c[a]n insurer owes its insureds a duty of fair dealing and has no right to manipulate an action in order to excuse itself from protecting its insureds.\u201d RLI Insurance, 335 Ill. App. 3d at 647. \u201cThe declaratory judgment procedure was designed to settle and fix rights before there has been an irrevocable change in the position of the parties that will jeopardize their respective claims of right.\u201d First of America Bank, Rockford, N.A. v. Netsch, 166 Ill. 2d 165, 174 (1995).\nIn this case, it appears that plaintiffs seek declaratory judgment, not to settle and fix rights, but instead to use as a sword to obtain the discovery that Underlying Claimants, including certain plaintiffs, were precluded from obtaining in the Underlying Action. A declaratory judgment action should not be used to force the parties to have a \u201cdress rehearsal\u201d of an important issue expected to be tried in the injury suit. See Bituminous Casualty Corp., 212 Ill. App. 3d at 562. The timing of plaintiffs\u2019 declaratory judgment action, with the underlying objective of obtaining discovery from Boeing, suggests that plaintiffs are engaged in gamesmanship in order to gain a tactical advantage in the Underlying Action, to the detriment of Boeing.\n\u201cA declaratory judgment action is used \u2018 \u201cto afford security and relief against uncertainty with a view to avoiding litigation, rather than in aid of it.\u201d \u2019 \u201d (Emphasis in original.) Stokes, 298 Ill. App. 3d at 281, quoting Dolezal, 266 Ill. App. 3d at 1083, quoting City of Chicago v. Department of Human Rights, 141 Ill. App. 3d 165, 169-70 (1986). Here, if the plaintiffs\u2019 declaratory judgment action were to proceed, they unfairly would benefit from discovery of information that is at the heart of the dispute in the Underlying Action. The record is replete with plaintiffs\u2019 requests from Boeing for information mirroring Underlying Claimants\u2019 discovery requests that were denied by the international arbitration tribunal. For example, Underlying Claimants, some of which are plaintiffs in the instant declaratory judgment action, requested from Boeing all documents relating to the contract signed between Thuraya and BSSI, as well as all documents relating to the sale of Hughes to Boeing. The record also shows plaintiffs requested from Boeing contracts with amendments for the 702 series satellites that originally included the SCA at issue and information about the negotiation and accommodation in sales price of Hughes.\nAgain, the issue of collateral estoppel is not applicable here because we are not concerned whether a ruling in plaintiffs\u2019 declaratory judgment action would be binding on the Underlying Action. Our concern involves plaintiffs\u2019 efforts to gain access to information by discovery that could aid them in the litigation of ultimate issues prior to the resolution of the Underlying Action, that later would affect the coverage determination. The record supports Boeing\u2019s allegations of prejudice, specifically considering that one of the ultimate issues for resolution in the Underlying Action is Boeing\u2019s alleged intentional conduct. By virtue of the interrelation of various issues involved in the litigation between plaintiffs and Boeing and Underlying Claimants and Boeing, we find that the circuit court substantively did not abuse its discretion by granting Boeing\u2019s motion to stay proceedings until the resolution of the Underlying Action.\nAccordingly, the judgment of the circuit court of Cook County to order a stay of plaintiffs\u2019 abridged complaint for declaratory judgment is affirmed.\nAffirmed.\nGREIMAN and CUNNINGHAM, JJ., concur.\nPlaintiffs\u2019 original complaint for declaratory judgment and abridged complaint for declaratory judgment state that the named plaintiffs, certain Underwriters at Lloyd\u2019s, London, and certain insurance companies doing business in the London insurance market are identified \u201cin Exhibit 1\u201d; however, \u201cExhibit 1\u201d was not attached to either complaint and was not included in the record. Further, there is no specific pleading, list, table or schedule provided in the record that names each of the plaintiffs involved in this case. Accordingly, we are unable to identify and list specifically all the named plaintiffs in this opinion, as reflected in the caption.\nOn October 5, 2006, the circuit court granted plaintiffs\u2019 motion to voluntarily dismiss defendants Global Aerospace, Inc., and Global Aerospace Underwriting Managers Limited from the instant case pursuant to section 2 \u2014 1009 of the Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2 \u2014 1009 (West 2000)).\nThe claims handling agreement identifies the concurrent reinsurers as Kiln, London Underwriters at Lloyd\u2019s, British Insurance Companies and other foreign insurers. Plaintiffs\u2019 reinsurance policy as provided in the record does not include a list, table or schedule naming specific Reinsurers or syndicates that subscribed to the policy and, as a result, it is unclear which plaintiffs are considered \u201cconcurrent reinsurers\u201d under the claims handling agreement.\nUnderlying Claimants\u2019 demand for arbitration is not part of the record on appeal because it is within the confidentiality protections of the Underlying Action. The appellate record, however, does contain an April 30, 2004, letter from Underlying Claimants\u2019 French counsel to Boeing asserting initial claims for the loss of Thuraya Dl.\nPlaintiffs acknowledged that Underlying Claimants withdrew their claim arising out of the relationship between Boeing and/or BSSI and Thuraya and, likewise, plaintiffs subsequently withdrew their request for information from Boeing on this subject.\nPlaintiffs also argue in this interlocutory appeal that the circuit court abused its discretion by staying the declaratory judgment proceedings until plaintiffs obtain a TAA to comply with AECA and ITAR. On January 23, 2008, while this appeal was pending, the United States Department of State approved plaintiffs\u2019 application for a TAA. On February 1, 2008, plaintiffs advised this court by motion that its argument on this issue was rendered moot and, therefore, we need not address it here.", "type": "majority", "author": "PRESIDING JUSTICE QUINN" } ], "attorneys": [ "Locke, Lord, Bissell & Liddell LLIJ of Chicago (Gary W. Westerberg, Ann C. Taylor, and Matthew J. Kalas, of counsel), for appellants.", "Kirkland & Ellis LLP, of Chicago (Michael E Foradas, Nader R. Boulos, and William T. Pruitt, of counsel), for appellees." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "CERTAIN UNDERWRITERS AT LLOYD\u2019S, LONDON, et al., Plaintiffs-Appellants, v. BOEING COMPANY et al., Defendants-Appellees.\nFirst District (3rd Division)\nNo. 1\u201407\u20141667\nOpinion filed June 30, 2008.\nRehearing denied October 23, 2008.\nLocke, Lord, Bissell & Liddell LLIJ of Chicago (Gary W. Westerberg, Ann C. Taylor, and Matthew J. Kalas, of counsel), for appellants.\nKirkland & Ellis LLP, of Chicago (Michael E Foradas, Nader R. Boulos, and William T. Pruitt, of counsel), for appellees." }, "file_name": "0023-01", "first_page_order": 39, "last_page_order": 63 }