Judge Refuses to Vacate 2004 Award; Dismisses Trustmark's Complaint

CHICAGO - A federal judge has dismissed Trustmark Insurance Co.'s suit seeking vacatur of a 2004 arbitration award requiring the reinsurer to pay nearly $400,000 to John Hancock Life Insurance Co. Trustmark Insurance Co. v. John Hancock Life Insurance Co., No. 1:09-3959 (N.D. Ill.).

On Nov. 15, Judge James B. Zagel of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois also denied Trustmark's request to vacate those portions of the award that were allegedly fraudulently procured by Hancock. The judge ruled that Trustmark's request for such relief is untimely and unwarranted because there is "no grave miscarriage of …