[Locke]

Hicks can eat a big sloppy one :

Liverpool have expressed their satisfaction with the High Court's decision to stop former owner Tom Hicks from taking legal action in the United States over what he called an ''epic swindle''.

The American is not able to pursue a lawsuit in the US, where damages can be much more punitive, without the permission of an English court. The judge also cleared the way for Hicks to be sued himself.

Hicks, who along with co-owner George Gillett pledged to get damages of at least $1.6 billion, applied to the same judge last week to lift the anti-suit orders - which had been placed ''on the basis of what appeared to me [Mr Justice Floyd] to be the unconscionable conduct of the former owners in seeking to undermine the English proceedings''.

Perhaps more importantly for Hicks, the judge dismissed an application to 'strike out or stay' claims by Sir Martin Broughton, former chairman of the club, to seek damages against Hicks for his actions while owner. And NESV were also given the right to join Broughton in any legal action, which means the new Liverpool owners, Broughton and RBS could collectively sue Hicks.

Mr Justice Floyd, in his ruling, said the sale of Liverpool came about because of Mr Hicks and Mr Gillett's indebtedness and explained why he did not discharge the anti-suit injunction which still bars the duo from starting any legal action in the United States.


''The reality of the situation is that the former owners have already started two sets of proceedings and openly asserted their intention to start more,'' he said. ''They will undoubtedly start more proceedings if allowed to do so. There is a real threat that those proceedings will be in the United States.
''I still find it difficult to imagine what possible real connection such a claim would have with any jurisdiction in the United States.


''The disputes concern an English asset, duties owed by English directors under English law to English companies, and corporate governance arrangements governed by English law.


''I think the time has come when they need to state their case or accept that they do not have one.''

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...ruling?cc=5901

Mr. Justice Floyd might just be becoming a Liverpool fan! The guy will be drinking free beer from me if he ever makes his way across the pond over here!