Slave descendants sue Lloyds for billions

[JoFerret]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1179732,00.html

Centuries after Africans were beaten, chained and transported in their millions across the Atlantic, Britain's role in the slave trade is set to resurface in sensational fashion in a New York courtroom.
Descendants of black American slaves are preparing a multi-billion dollar action against Lloyd's of London, the best-known name in world insurance, for allegedly financing the trading fleets that uprooted them from their homelands and condemned them to generations of slavery in the New World.

The dramatic claim, to be filed tomorrow, is the latest in which 'UK plc' is being forced to confront allegations of a murky past. In recent years a host of British companies have been sued for allegedly collaborating with South Africa's racist apartheid regime.

The claim against Lloyd's could prove far more damaging. Black leaders are using DNA technology to link themselves with recorded slave ships and have enlisted Edward Fagan, the feared New York lawyer who extracted huge Nazi gold settlements from German and Swiss companies, to lead the case.

Lloyd's is expected to deny it is liable for slavery, but news of the case will cause consternation within its gleaming steel-and-glass headquarters in the City of London, where the insurance giant is tipped to make profits of £1 billion this year.
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[Doogie]

1. Won't go anywhere

You have people who were not directly harmed, suing a company which did not break the law, for something done by it's long-dead employees.

Even in England, this won't happen.

[Yupster]

2. Seems like the important question will be

did they do anything illegal?

If they didn't, it would be an ex-post facto situation where you're punishing someone for doing something that was legal when they did it.

Of course there are plenty of other hurdles to get over too.

[mouse7]

3. English Co. profiting from American slave trade different

Slavery was illegal in England, yet the company profited from the American Slave Trade.

You're suing for what was illegal in it's home country when it made a significant portion of that money. Makes them far more vulnerable then US companies.