The amicus hired to assess the funder’s cut of a potentially record settlement in several class actions against S&P Global over toxic financial products has told the judge that if he’s considering approving a funding equalisation order, he should “start with a blank piece of paper” in calculating a reasonable funder’s commission.
The judge weighing a record settlement in multiple class actions against S&P Global over toxic financial products said Tuesday there was “no way” he would sign off on the deal while it stipulated that all funds be returned to the ratings agency in the event the settlement amount is disclosed.
The firm running the class action against Fitch Ratings over SCDO products has been given the go ahead to add claims of fraud and deceit after lawyers allegedly unearthed a hidden mathematical table the agency used in assigning ratings to the toxic financial products.
Facing cross-examination over the law firm’s bid to add fraud and deceit claims to a class action against Fitch Ratings, a Squire Patton Boggs lawyer exchanged fire with a barrister for the ratings agency, saying Fitch was having a regular “whinge” about discovery and “no” she would not take the comment back.
S&P Global Ratings and ANZ Banking Group have agreed to settle seven class actions over toxic financial products given healthy credit ratings ahead of the global financial crisis.