Legal Action in United States

RNS Number:3214R
Ramco Energy PLC
27 October 2003




27 October 2003

                  UPDATE ON LEGAL ACTION IN THE UNITED STATES


As previously reported, Ramco was named in an action against a group of
defendants including Halliburton, raised by the Anglo Dutch Petroleum companies,
controlled by Houston resident Scott van Dyke and his mother Theresa van Dyke.


Before the trial began in August, the judge issued a summary judgement
dismissing all the plaintiffs' claims against Ramco except a claim based on
breach of contract arising out of a confidentiality agreement.   In the trial
the plaintiffs sought damages from Ramco and Halliburton of $640 million.


On 24 October 2003, by a 10-2 majority, the jury delivered a verdict on the
plaintiffs claim, with a finding against Halliburton of $64 million and a
finding against Ramco of $6.4 million (#3.9 million).   The jury also found that
Halliburton and Ramco were partners on the project.


Ramco notes that the Texas State Court procedure differs from procedure in the
United Kingdom courts in that the Texas jury verdict is not per se a judgement.
The final judgement is made only by the trial judge and it may be two months
before this is issued after post-trial motions have been heard.    The trial
judge has the power to set aside jury findings, reduce awards and order a
retrial.


Ramco will contest vigorously the verdict and the findings and will file a
series of motions prior to the trial judge entering judgement.   These motions
will seek among other remedies a judgement in Ramco's favour which disregards
the jury's findings as well as the ordering of a new trial.


Whatever judgement the trial court then enters will be subject to the Texas
appellate process which includes an intermediate Court of Appeal and an
application to the Supreme Court of Texas.   Both the review and appellate
processes are conducted by judges without the involvement of a jury.


Enquiries:

Ramco

Chris Moar, Company Secretary & V.P. Finance 01224 352200

College Hill

Phil Wilson-Brown/James Henderson 020 7457 2020







                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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