If the allegation that Shell misled the courts is ultimately tested and found proven, the reputational damage would be severe. Misleading a court is not mere “bad PR”. It goes to integrity, disclosure, governance and the credibility of the company’s public statements. Even if Shell defeats the allegation, the fact that the claimants can point to internal emails allegedly contradicting Shell’s earlier litigation position keeps alive the central question that has haunted Shell for years: was London really as detached from Nigeria as Shell asked the courts to believe?
By John Donovan
Shell, previously known as Forthdeal Limited, subsequently as Royal Dutch Shell plc, and now hiding in plain sight as Shell plc after ditching the disgraced Royal Dutch moniker, has reportedly marched back into the High Court spotlight — this time facing explosive allegations that it misled English courts in its long-running attempt to avoid a UK trial over oil pollution in Nigeria.
According to the Financial Times, newly amended legal pleadings filed in the High Court by lawyers representing the Bille community accuse Shell of knowingly relying on false or misleading evidence during earlier jurisdiction proceedings in the English courts. The allegation is that Shell tried to depict its Nigerian subsidiary, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, known as SPDC, as operationally autonomous, when the claimants say internal evidence shows senior Shell executives exercised significant control, oversight and direction over Nigerian operations and spill management. Shell denies the allegation and says the relevant evidence was truthful and accurate to the best of the witnesses’ knowledge and belief at the time. (Financial Times)
Expert comments relating to the 
Shell former upstream chief: Nigeria oilfield deal was ‘lawful and correct’
BY SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK: JUL
In September 2017, four foreign NGOs filed a declaration in the Netherlands against Shell, Van Beurden and three (former) directors. According to lawyer Barbara van Straaten of the law firm Prakken d’Oliveira, this declaration was added to the current investigation by the Public Prosecution Service.: Almost a year ago, Shell itself filed a statement against former director Peter Robinson. According to the group, the Australian would have been guilty of corruption in Nigeria. Robinson is one of the four former Shell employees who stand trial in Milan. Justice in the US and stock market watchdog SEC were also informed.
