JUDGE SETS ASIDE EARLIER RULING AGAINST SIA

· When ruling in favour of Mr Olding, Judge Carlson considered that the most important piece of evidence was a copy of a note from a radiologist at Tang Shiu Kin Hospital in Hong Kong, where Mr Olding had been examined in connection with his claim that he had ingested glass particles. This note, which was presented to SIA's lawyers by Mr Olding shortly before the trial, contained the comment "likely to be glass particle".

· Acting on suspicions after the trial, SIA's lawyers contacted the examining radiologist at Tang Shiu Kin Hospital. He advised that his actual comment was "unlikely to be glass particle".

· SIA's lawyers returned before Judge Carlson and obtained an Order requiring Tang Shiu Kin Hospital to provide the original note. Having seen the original note, it was clear that the actual wording was "unlikely to be glass particle", and not "likely to be glass particle", which was the wording on the copy provided by Mr Olding.

The Judgement in favour of Mr Olding has now been set aside (effectively, this means that SIA no longer has to pay any compensation). SIA is now considering the implications of this development and the impact of the earlier Judgement and resulting publicity on SIA's reputation.