Overview

• Mrs Justice May ruled on over 20 preliminary issues, finding that 85 identified spills present a real issue to be tried.
• The judgment confirmed that Shell may face liability for damage from third-party oil theft and bunkering on its pipelines.
• The Bille and Ogale communities, which total around 50,000 residents, have sought compensation for contaminated water and disrupted livelihoods since 2015.
• Shell contends that the majority of leaks stem from illegal activities. It asserts that a joint venture cleaned up each spill under Nigerian legal requirements.
• A four-month trial is scheduled to open in March 2027 at London’s High Court.