Eskwai logo
Verify now as a student, judge or newly called lawyer for access to discounted plans.

Jalal Bezee Mejel Al-Gaood & Partner & Anor v Innospec Ltd & Ors

2014

COMMERCIAL COURT

United Kingdom

CORAM

  • THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE FLAUX

Areas of Law

  • Tort Law
  • Commercial Law
  • Evidence Law

AI Generated Summary

NUFT/NASS, a Jordanian company, and its Iraqi affiliate sued Innospec (Associated Octel Corporation Ltd and parent Octel Corp) in the English High Court alleging a civil unlawful means conspiracy involving bribery of Iraqi Ministry of Oil officials to prefer TEL and frustrate sales of Ethyls MMT, including inducing a 2004 TEL long-term purchase agreement and undermining a 2006 2007 MMT field test and a 2008 TEL LTPA. The judgment examined refinery conditions and octane requirements at Daura, Basra, and Baiji, technical expert evidence on TEL/MMT efficacy, and extensive contemporaneous documentation alongside DOJ/SEC guilty pleas by Innospec and Ousama Naaman and SFO proceedings against directors. It was common ground the claimants had to prove a late 2003 Ministry decision to switch to MMT, that bribery induced the 2004 LTPA preventing MMT sales, and that but for bribery the switch would have been implemented. Flaux J held the documents showed plans to enter a TEL LTPA while exploring MMT purchases; the 2004 LTPA was not procured by bribery; Naamans fake bribes and later promises did not cause loss; and technical and economic realities meant MMT could not consistently meet Iraqs needs. The claim was dismissed.