Innospec is facing a US$42m claim in the English High Court from
a Jordanian firm that alleges that Innospec's US6.3m bribes
prevented the firm from winning certain fuel additive contracts
with the Iraqi Ministry of Oil between 2003 and 2010.
Jalal Bezee Mejel Algaood & Partners (JBMA), a producer of a
rival fuel additive, is claiming for damages for conspiracy to
cause injury by unlawful means (i.e. contravention of UK and US
anti-bribery legislation) by using an agent to bribe officials at
the Iraqi Ministry of Oil to ensure the continued purchase of
Innospec's product at the expense of JBMA's.
The claim relies primarily on judgments and documents arising
out of criminal and civil actions brought by US and UK prosecutors,
which were settled for around US$40m. It follows a similar claim
against Innospec in the US by its former competitors NewMarket
Corp, which was settled in late 2011.
