1.

In 2011, Ms Saghi Akhavan brought various claims in the Isle of Man High Court against Trident Trust (”Trident”).    Trident is a corporate services provider regulated by the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority.  Ms Akhavan had all her claims against Trident dismissed by the Court.  Notwithstanding this, Ms Akhavan continued to make criticisms against Trident, its officers and staff, the Isle of Man High Court and her own lawyer, Mr Chris Webb of Quinn Legal, in certain web based blogs.

2.

Ms Akhavan alleged that Trident was negligent in the administration of her company’s (Sigma Holdings Limited) affairs which caused her serious physical and psychological harm.  Ms Akhavan’s personal injury claim was struck out by the Court at an early stage.  Ms Akhavan appealed but her appeal was also dismissed.  Ms Akhavan was ordered to pay Trident’s legal costs in this failed legal action.

3.

Ms Akhavan brought a further action against Trident seeking damages for alleged negligence in the administration of Sigma.  Following a trial at which the Court received full documentary and oral evidence, all allegations of negligence against Trident were dismissed.  Again Ms Akhavan was ordered to pay Trident’s costs.  The Court concluded that Trident had not committed any breaches of professional duty in connection with its dealings with the affairs of Ms Akhavan or her company and made no findings of wrongdoing against any of Trident’s officers or staff.

4.

In post-trial web based commentary, Ms Akhavan continued to dispute the outcome of the trial and has characterised the senior officers and staff at Trident either as incompetent in their actions or dishonest in the evidence they gave to the Court.  Such allegations have no foundation in fact whatsoever. The Court, on the crucial issues in dispute between the parties, found that the witnesses who gave evidence on behalf of Trident were honest, credible, clear and helpful to the Court.  Ms Akhavan’s post-trial criticisms of Trident’s Mr David Bester and Ms Ann-Marie McCarthy are entirely unsupported to the findings of the Court.  In particular, Ms Akhavan’s post-trial remarks aimed against Trident’s Mrs Heather Kent (alleged to have prepared a false corporate resolution) and Mr Barry Short (who, she implies, acted unprofessionally) and Mr Selwyn Haas are entirely without substance and find no support from the decision of the Court.

5.

In contrast, the Court found aspects of Ms Akhavan’s evidence to be unsatisfactory and in post-trial web comments, Ms Akhavan admits failing to disclose relevant evidence to the Court relating to her out of court settlement with her U.K. based tax advisers, Dixon Wilson, against whom she also brought claims to recover alleged losses.

6.

It is apparent that Ms Akhavan will not accept the Court’s decision which was made after due judicial process and appears intent upon continuing to attempt to impugn the name and reputation of Trident, its officers and staff.  Ms Akhavan’s refusal and inability to accept the outcome of this litigation is further evident from the negligence proceedings she issued against her own lawyers, alleging that that Mr Webb had negligently advised her and failed to present her claims to the Court with reasonable skill and care.  Again the Court, following an evidential trial, dismissed Ms Akhavan’s allegations in these respects.  Notwithstanding such outcome, Ms Akhavan continues to make personal attacks upon the competence of her own lawyer in her online blogging.

7.

Ms Saghi Akhavan’s remarks against Trident and its officers in her web based blogs are defamatory.  Whilst it is open to Trident to take action in this respect, Trident believes that the judgments of the Isle of Man Court speak for themselves and vindicate its dealings with Ms Akhavan and her company.  Trident believes Ms Akhavan’s actions before, during and after the Isle of Man Court hearings, are in themselves an indication of her own unsound judgments and shortcomings.

8.

A copy of the judgement of the Court may be viewed at S AKHAVAN / SIGMA HOLDINGS LIMITED