BP Plc's (BP) bid to block economic-loss payments tied to the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill unless the claims can be directly linked to the disaster won fast-track consideration by an appeals court.The London-based company said last week that US District Judge Carl Barbier in New Orleans has ignored the appellate court's earlier decision requiring him to review causation in determining which claims should be paid. The company asked an appeals panel for immediate review while lawyers for spill victims sought a delay.
BP's request for expedited consideration was granted in an order issued yesterday by US Circuit Judge Edith Brown Clement in New Orleans. She directed spill victims to respond to BP's motion by January 8 and both sides to file letters that day on the causation issue.
Bloomberg