EU Court denies legal privilege for company lawyers in EU matters
Amsterdam, the Netherlands, September 17, 2007 - Akzo Nobel has today
announced the outcome of a court case held in Luxembourg to pass
judgment on a number of procedural matters, including the important
issue of legal privilege of in-house company lawyers.
The case was brought before the EU Court of First Instance to provide
clarity on a range of procedural matters raised during an
investigation by the European Commission at Akzo Nobel premises in
2003, when internal company memos were seized.
The court today confirmed current case law which states that in-house
lawyers may not invoke, under EC competition law, legal privilege in
their communications to their in-house clients. This means that
companies are not able to keep the legal advice from their in-house
lawyers - even if they are members of the bar - confidential from
the European Commission.
The ruling has no bearing on any substantive pending cases involving
Akzo Nobel and therefore has no financial or other substantive impact
on Akzo Nobel.
Akzo Nobel is studying the court's ruling and will issue a response
in due course should it be deemed appropriate.
- - -
Note to editors
Akzo Nobel is a Fortune Global 500 company and is listed on Euronext
Amsterdam. It is also included on the Dow Jones Sustainability
Indexes and FTSE4Good Index. Based in the Netherlands, we are a
multicultural organization serving customers throughout the world
with coatings, chemicals and human and animal healthcare products. We
employ around 62,000 people and conduct our activities in these four
segments, with operating subsidiaries in more than 80 countries.
Consolidated revenues for 2006 totaled EUR 13.7 billion. The
financial results for the third quarter will be published on October,
23, 2007.
Internet: www.akzonobel.com
Not for publication - for more information
Akzo Nobel nv
Corporate Media Relations, tel. +31 20 502 7833
Contact: Tim van der Zanden
Safe Harbor Statement*
This press release may contain statements which address such key
issues as Akzo Nobel's growth strategy, future financial results,
market positions, product development, pharmaceutical products in the
pipeline, and product approvals. Such statements should be carefully
considered, and it should be understood that many factors could cause
forecasted and actual results to differ from these statements. These
factors include, but are not limited to, price fluctuations, currency
fluctuations, progress of drug development, clinical testing and
regulatory approval, developments in raw material and personnel
costs, pensions, physical and environmental risks, legal issues, and
legislative, fiscal, and other regulatory measures. Stated
competitive positions are based on management estimates supported by
information provided by specialized external agencies. For a more
comprehensive discussion of the risk factors affecting our business
please see our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission, a copy of which can be
found on the company's corporate website www.akzonobel.com.
* Pursuant to the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995.
