Classfication society Lloyd’s Register (LR) is facing a potential civil trial in Houston on allegations that it fraudulently certified Pearl Seas Cruises’ massively delayed cruiseship newbuilding despite numerous violations of international safety norms.

District Judge David Hittner, of the Texas city’s federal court, has issued an order denying the UK classification society’s request to throw out the lawsuit on arguments that it should be tried in English courts.

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