There are reports that Hollinger International and Conrad Black are to hold talks on an out of court settlement which could clear the way for the sale of Britain's Telegraph newspaper.
Representatives for Hollinger and Black declined to comment.
The publisher has filed a $1.25 billion lawsuit against its former chief Black and other executives. Black, who remains the firm's controlling shareholder via his holding company Hollinger Inc, could seek to block the sale of the Telegraph Group to Britain's Barclay brothers. The Barclays agreed to buy the newspaper group for £665m last week.
The AFP news agency reported that Leo Strine, the Delaware judge presiding over the dispute, had given his approval for independent directors from both sides to communicate. Strine has urged both parties to return to the negotiating table.
A legal source told AFP that the talks were the reason why Black had not yet filed a lawsuit seeking shareholder approval of the Telegraph deal, which had been widely expected to occur early this week.
