Subprime Class Action Claims Dismissed Against Barclays Underwriters

Skadden secured a dismissal of a subprime securities class action brought against the underwriters of certain Barclays Bank PLC preferred share offerings. Plaintiffs alleged that in light of the write-downs taken by Barclays related to mortgage-backed exposure during the credit crisis, the offering documents for the securities were materially false and misleading. In an opinion issued on January 5, 2011, Judge Paul A. Crotty of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York dismissed plaintiffs' claims against the underwriters and Barclays with prejudice and found that the plaintiffs failed to adequately allege violations of the Securities Act of 1933.