Willis Limited – the Lloyd’s broker unit of Willis Group Holdings, announced that it “has commenced proceedings in the High Court in London against Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc, JLT Specialty Limited and Willis employee Mr. David Gordon for damages for conspiracy and for breach of duty and wrongful interference in the proposed sale of the FAJS [Fine Art, Jewelry & Specie] division to Miller Insurance Services LLP.
Willis statement also noted that it had “applied for an injunction to prevent JLT and David Gordon from recruiting further Willis staff from its (FAJS) team.” The Judge in that action did find that there was a “serious issue of unlawful activity to be tried.” He did not, however, grant the injunction as “he considered the damage to Willis already done. The Judge said that damages could be pursued at trial.”
Willis announced in January that it was acquiring a majority 85 percent stake in MillerInsurance Services LLP “to add shipping clients.”
The statement also warned that “Willis will always pursue legal redress against individuals and companies where we believe unlawful action has compromised the interests of our clients, our employees, the markets we work with and our shareholders. We will defend these interests robustly and intend to pursue this case vigorously to trial for the maximum recovery.”
Source: Miles Russell, Willis Group Communications Director