2 ms·

Although it's mentioned in passing, I think one of the most notable and disgusting things about the affair is the way key witnesses (at least one of whom seems

Although it's mentioned in passing, I think one of the most notable and disgusting things about the affair is the way key witnesses (at least one of whom seems to have been selling himself as some sort of noble whistleblower) have refused to appear citing dubious French law as prohibiting them. The apparent moral cowardice of some people is depressing. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54792111 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54792111 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55382056 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55382056

ithkuil 6y ago
" The "blocking statute" of 26 July 1968 (amended on 17 July 1980) prohibits any person, including French companies, subject to international treaties or agreements (in particular the Hague Convention of 18 March 1970) "from requesting, seeking or communicating, in writing, orally or in any other form, documents or information of an economic, commercial, industrial, financial or technical nature with a view to gathering evidence in or in connection with foreign judicial or administrative proceedings." The prohibition, subject to a criminal penalty of six months’ imprisonment and a fine of €18,000, or approximately $20,200 (increased to €90,000, or approximately $100,900 for a legal entity), is designed to protect French companies against Anglo-Saxon discovery mechanism, which allows the litigant (who is sometimes an American competitor) or the US administration to request from the French company the disclosure of documents, including those that may have an economic value for the said company. " If I were a french citizen I'd try to avoid getting a criminal record, a possible prison sentence and a fine. It could destroy my family. The uk should negotiate a better treaty with france to allow these people to testify.

2 ms·

Although it's mentioned in passing, I think one of the most notable and disgusting things about the affair is the way key witnesses (at least one of whom seems

by mellosouls 6y ago

ithkuil 6y ago
" The "blocking statute" of 26 July 1968 (amended on 17 July 1980) prohibits any person, including French companies, subject to international treaties or agreements (in particular the Hague Convention of 18 March 1970) "from requesting, seeking or communicating, in writing, orally or in any other form, documents or information of an economic, commercial, industrial, financial or technical nature with a view to gathering evidence in or in connection with foreign judicial or administrative proceedings." The prohibition, subject to a criminal penalty of six months’ imprisonment and a fine of €18,000, or approximately $20,200 (increased to €90,000, or approximately $100,900 for a legal entity), is designed to protect French companies against Anglo-Saxon discovery mechanism, which allows the litigant (who is sometimes an American competitor) or the US administration to request from the French company the disclosure of documents, including those that may have an economic value for the said company. " If I were a french citizen I'd try to avoid getting a criminal record, a possible prison sentence and a fine. It could destroy my family. The uk should negotiate a better treaty with france to allow these people to testify.