Dutch appeals court says Shell may be held liable for oil spills in Nigeria

Nigerian farmers affected by oil pollution get green light to pursue case against Anglo-Dutch multinational as judges order release of key documents

A Dutch appeals court ruled on Friday that Royal Dutch Shell can be held liable for oil spills at its subsidiary in Nigeria, potentially opening the way for other compensation claims against the multinational.

Judges in The Hague ordered Shell to make available to the court documents that might shed light on the cause of the oil spills and whether leading managers were aware of them.