National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc v ABB Ltd & Ors

National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc v ABB Ltd & Ors

The action should proceed to the close of pleadings and preliminary disclosure, but not be fixed for hearing until three months after exhaustion of all appeals against the Commission Decision. Immediate stay is not justified; preparation should continue to avoid prejudice to claimant and ensure readiness for trial. Siemens' request for further information is dismissed as premature.

Parties
Claimant: National Grid Electricity Transmission PLC; Defendant: ABB Limited; Defendant: ABB Power T & D Limited; Defendant: ABB Limited (subsidiary); Defendant: ABB Holdings Limited; Defendant: ABB Asea Brown Boveri Limited; Defendant: Alstom SA; Defendant: Alstom Limited; Defendant: Alstom UK Holdings Limited; Defendant: Alstom Holdings SA; Defendant: Areva SA; Defendant: Areva T & D Limited; Defendant: Areva T & D Holdings SA; Defendant: Siemens AG; Defendant: Siemens Transmission & Distribution Ltd; Defendant: VA Tech Reyrolle Distribution Limited; Defendant: Siemens PLC; Defendant: VA Tech (UK) Limited; Defendant: Siemens Holdings PLC; Defendant: VA Tech Schneider High Voltage GmbH; Defendant: VA Tech Transmission & Distribution & Co KEG; Defendant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Österreich
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
12 June 2009
Procedural Posture
Civil / Interlocutory Application for Stay and Further Information
Outcome
Application for immediate stay dismissed; action to proceed to close of pleadings and preliminary disclosure; Siemens' application for further information dismissed.
Legal Topics
Cartel Damages, Follow on Actions, Breach of Statutory Duty, Stay of Proceedings, Disclosure, Pleadings, Interest Calculation
Competition Law European Union Law Statutory Duty Cartel Damages Follow on Actions Breach of Statutory Duty Stay of Proceedings Disclosure +2 more

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Parties

National Grid Electricity Transmission PLC

Claimant

ABB Limited

Defendant

ABB Power T & D Limited

Defendant

ABB Limited (subsidiary)

Defendant

ABB Holdings Limited

Defendant

ABB Asea Brown Boveri Limited

Defendant

Alstom SA

Defendant

Alstom Limited

Defendant

Alstom UK Holdings Limited

Defendant

Alstom Holdings SA

Defendant

Areva SA

Defendant

Areva T & D Limited

Defendant

Areva T & D Holdings SA

Defendant

Siemens AG

Defendant

Siemens Transmission & Distribution Ltd

Defendant

VA Tech Reyrolle Distribution Limited

Defendant

Siemens PLC

Defendant

VA Tech (UK) Limited

Defendant

Siemens Holdings PLC

Defendant

VA Tech Schneider High Voltage GmbH

Defendant

VA Tech Transmission & Distribution & Co KEG

Defendant

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Österreich

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil / Interlocutory Application for Stay and Further Information

Legal Issues

  1. 1 When should a stay of proceedings be granted in a follow-on cartel damages action pending appeals against a European Commission decision?
  2. 2 Should the claimant be ordered to provide further information to the defendants at this stage?

Ratio Decidendi

The action should proceed to the close of pleadings and preliminary disclosure, but not be fixed for hearing until three months after exhaustion of all appeals against the Commission Decision. Immediate stay is not justified; preparation should continue to avoid prejudice to claimant and ensure readiness for trial. Siemens' request for further information is dismissed as premature.

Court Disposition

Application for immediate stay dismissed; action to proceed to close of pleadings and preliminary disclosure; Siemens' application for further information dismissed.

Orders

  • Action not to be fixed for hearing against any defendant until three months after exhaustion of appeals to CFI or ECJ.
  • Each defendant to serve defence by 26 June 2009.