Jesse Nicholls in successful settlement of international human rights claims against Gemfields Ltd

Jesse Nicholls, instructed by Leigh Day, acted for 273 Mozambican claimants who alleged that they or their relatives suffered serious human rights abuses on or around Montepuez Ruby Mining Limitada’s (MRM) mine in Northern Mozambique (a joint venture in which Gemfields is the majority stakeholder). The claims were brought against Gemfields Limited, a London-based company and a world leading supplier of gemstones.

Gemfields has agreed to settle the claims, including a sum to be distributed to the claimants and the establishment of further community projects to improve the long term agricultural productivity and livelihoods of residents of Ntoro/Namucho. Gemfields has also agreed to establish an independent Operational Grievance Mechanism to ensure that any individual who wishes to raise a grievance in relation to MRM’s operations is able to obtain an appropriate remedy promptly. The implementation of the Grievance Mechanism will be overseen by international experts.

Jesse was instructed by Daniel Leader of Leigh Day, and led by Timothy Otty QC of Blackstone Chambers.

Leigh Day’s press release on the settlement of the claims can be found here.

Background to the claims can be found here.

The settlement of the claims has been covered in the media, including here, here and here.