Negative declaratory proccedings gen.

[Pollydear]

Уважаемые специалисты в области юридической лексики! Пожалуйста, помогите перевести фразу:

They had brought negative declaratory proceedings in England and had secured a positive ruling on jurisdiction.

Общий контекст такой:
This dispute involved the obligations of Party A under reinssurance contracts... the key issue was the effect of devaluation of the currency rresulting from legislation in Argentina which on one interpretation meant that Party A had almost no liability under the reinsurance policy. As a result.... (и дальше эта фраза)

Огромное спасибо заранее!