Honeywell 2003 Annual Report Download - page 145

SCHEDULE 3.01(b)
DISCLOSED LITIGATION
While not giving an opinion as to whether any item is "reasonably
likely to have a Material Adverse Effect," we hereby disclose the litigation
matters as stated in our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003,
under the heading "Legal Proceedings," as shown below. These matters are
modified and updated to the extent of the Form 8-K filed by Honeywell on
November 11, 2003, disclosing that the letter of intent regarding a transaction
in which Federal-Mogul Corp. would acquire Honeywell's automotive Bendix
friction materials business, and Honeywell would receive a permanent channeling
injunction shielding it from all current and future Bendix-related personal
injury asbestos liabilities, expired on November 15, 2003, but that the parties
remain engaged in active negotiations regarding a possible transaction.
SHAREOWNER LITIGATION - Honeywell and seven of its current and former
officers were named as defendants in several purported class action lawsuits
filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (the
"Securities Law Complaints"). The Securities Law Complaints principally allege
that the defendants violated federal securities laws by purportedly making false
and misleading statements and by failing to disclose material information
concerning Honeywell's financial performance, thereby allegedly causing the
value of Honeywell's stock to be artificially inflated. On January 15, 2002, the
District Court dismissed the consolidated complaint against four of Honeywell's
current and former officers. The Court has granted plaintiffs' motion for class
certification defining the class as all purchasers of Honeywell stock between
December 20, 1999 and June 19, 2000.
The parties participated in a two-day settlement mediation in April 2003 in
an attempt to resolve the cases without resort to a trial. The mediation proved
unsuccessful in resolving the cases. Discovery in the cases, which had been
stayed pending completion of the mediation, has resumed. A further mediation
session is planned for the fourth quarter of 2003.
We continue to believe that the allegations in the Securities Law
Complaints are without merit. Although it is not possible at this time to
predict the outcome of these cases, we expect to prevail. However, an adverse
outcome could be material to our consolidated financial position or results of
operations. As a result of the uncertainty regarding the outcome of this matter
no provision has been made in our financial statements with respect to this
contingent liability.
ERISA CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT - In April 2003, Honeywell and several of its
current and former officers were named as defendants in a purported class action
lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the District of New
Jersey. The complaint principally alleges that the defendants breached their
fiduciary duties to participants in the Honeywell Savings and Ownership Plan
(the "Savings Plan") by purportedly making false and misleading statements,
failing to disclose material information concerning Honeywell's financial
performance, and failing to diversify the Savings Plan's assets and monitor the
prudence of Honeywell stock as a Savings Plan investment. In July 2003, an
amended complaint making similar allegations and naming several current and
former officers and directors as defendants was filed in the same district. In
September 2003, Honeywell filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint.