Her lawyers claim that the renowned lawyer's role in negotiating the settlement agreement has 'provided protection for himself against criminal prosecution'.

It had reached a settlement agreement with the plaintiffs and set aside $425 million for claims if the case was lost.

After the vessel sank, the insurers entered into a settlement agreement with the owners and managers of the vessel and paid out under the policy.

Before the rules changed, there had to be a dispute before the topic of a settlement agreement could safely be broached.

In 2014 investigators rescinded the settlement agreement, arguing it had been 'misled and relied on representations that were false', the court heard.