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CONTINGENCIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of contingent liabilities [text block] [Abstract]  
Disclosure of contingent liabilities [text block]

NOTE 31 – CONTINGENCIES


I.Lawsuits

1)Lawsuits filed by LATAM Airlines Group S.A. and Subsidiaries

Company   Court   Case Number   Origin   Stage of trial  

Amounts

Committed (*)

                    ThUS$
                     
Tam Viagens S.A.   Fazenda Pública do Município de São Paulo.   1004194-37.2018.8.26.0053   This is a voidance action appealing the charges for violations and fines (67.168.795 / 67.168.833 / 67.168.884 / 67.168.906 / 67.168.914 / 67.168.965).  We are arguing that numbers are missing from the ISS calculation base since the company supposedly made improper deductions.     The lawsuit was assigned on January 31, 2018.  That same day, a decision was rendered suspending the charges without any bond. The municipality filed an appeal against this decision on April 30, 2018. A decision was rendered on November 11, 2019 fully in favor of Tam Viagens S.A.  We are waiting to see if the Municipality files an appeal.  

95,216

 


2)Lawsuits received by LATAM Airlines Group S.A. and Subsidiaries

Company   Court   Case Number   Origin   Stage of trial  

Amounts

Committed (*)

                    ThUS$
                     
LATAM Airlines Group S.A. y Lan Cargo S.A.   European Commission.       Investigation of alleged infringements to free competition of cargo airlines, especially fuel surcharge. On December 26, 2007, the General Directorate  for Competition of the European Commission notified Lan Cargo S.A. and LATAM Airlines Group S.A. the instruction process against twenty five cargo airlines, including Lan Cargo S.A., for alleged breaches of competition in the air cargo market in Europe, especially the alleged fixed fuel surcharge and freight.    

On April 14, 2008, the notification of the European Commission was replied. The appeal was filed on January 24, 2011.

On May 11, 2015, we attended a hearing at which we petitioned for the vacation of the Decision based on discrepancies in the Decision between the operating section, which mentions four infringements (depending on the routes involved) but refers to Lan in only one of those four routes; and the ruling section (which mentions one single conjoint infraction).

On November 9, 2010, the General Directorate for Competition of the European Commission notified Lan Cargo S.A. and LATAM Airlines Group S.A. the imposition of a fine in the amount of THUS$ 9,217 (8,220,000 Euros)

This fine is being appealed by Lan Cargo S.A. and LATAM Airlines Group S.A. On December 16, 2015, the European Court of Justice revoked the Commission’s decision because of discrepancies. The European Commission did not appeal the decision, but presented a new one on March 17, 2017 reiterating the imposition of the same fine on the eleven original airlines. The fine totals 776,465,000 Euros. It imposed the same fine as before on Lan Cargo and its parent, LATAM Airlines Group S.A., totaling 8.2 million Euros. On May 31, 2017 Lan Cargo S.A. and LATAM Airlines Group S.A. filed a petition with the General Court of the European Union seeking vacation of this decision. We presented our defense in December 2017. On July 12, 2019, we attended a hearing before the European Court of Justice to confirm our petition for vacation of judgment or otherwise, a reduction in the amount of the fine. LATAM AIRLINES GROUP, S.A. expects that the ruling by the General Court of the European Union may reduce the amount of this fine.

  9,217

Company   Court   Case Number   Origin   Stage of trial  

Amounts

Committed (*)

                    ThUS$
                     
Lan Cargo S.A. y LATAM Airlines Group S.A.  

In the High Court of Justice Chancery División (England) Ovre Romerike District Court (Norway) y Directie Juridische Zaken Afdeling Ceveil Recht (Netherlands) , Cologne Regional Court (Landgerich Köln Germany).

 

      Lawsuits filed against European airlines by users of freight services in private lawsuits as a result of the investigation into alleged breaches of competition of cargo airlines, especially fuel surcharge. Lan Cargo S.A. and LATAM Airlines Group S.A., have been sued in court proceedings directly and/or in third party, based in England, Norway, the Netherlands and Germany.   Cases are in the uncovering evidence stage. In the case in England, mediation was held with nearly all the airlines involved in the aim of attempting to reach an agreement. It began in September, and LATAM Airlines Group S.A. reached an agreement for approximately GBP 636,000.  A settlement was signed in December 2018 and payment was made in January 2019.  This lawsuit ended for all plaintiffs in the class action, except for one who signed a settlement for approximately GBP 222,469.63 in December 2019.  The payment will be made in January 2020, which will put an end to the entire lawsuit in England.  The amount remains undetermined for the lawsuits in the remaining countries (Norway, the Netherlands and Germany).   -0-
                     
Aerolinhas Brasileiras S.A.   Federal Justice.   0008285-53.2015.403.6105   An action seeking to quash a decision and petioning for early protection in order to obgain a revocation of the penalty imposed by the Brazilian Competition Authority (CADE) in the investigation of cargo airlines alleged fair trade violations, in particular the fuel surcharge.   This action was filed by presenting a guaranty – policy – in order to suspend the effects of the CADE’s decision regarding the payment of the following fines: (i) ABSA: ThUS$ 10,438; (ii) Norberto Jochmann: ThUS$201; (iii) Hernan Merino: ThUS$ 102; (iv) Felipe Meyer :ThUS$ 102. The action also deals with the affirmative obligation required by the CADE consisting of the duty to publish the condemnation in a widely circulating newspaper.  This obligation had also been stayed by the court of federal justice in this process.  Awaiting CADE’s statement. ABSA began a judicial review in search of an additional reduction in the fine amount.  The Judge’s decision was published on March 12, 2019, and we filed an appeal against it on March 13, 2019  

10,403

 

 

                     
Aerolinhas Brasileiras S.A.   Federal Justice.   0001872-58.2014.4.03.6105   An annulment action with a motion for preliminary injunction, was filed on 02/28/2014, in order to cancel tax debts of PIS, CONFINS, IPI and II, connected with the administrative process 10831.005704/2006.43.   We have been waiting since August 21, 2015 for a statement by Serasa on TAM’s letter of indemnity and a statement by the Union. The statement was authenticated on January 29, 2016. A new insurance policy was submitted on March 30, 2016 with the change to the guarantee requested by PGFN. On 05/20/2016 the process was sent to PGFN, which was manifested on 06/03/2016. A decision is pending   14,061

Company   Court   Case Number   Origin   Stage of trial  

Amounts

Committed (*)

                    ThUS$
                     

Tam Linhas

Aéreas S.A

 

 

  Department of Federal Revenue of Brazil   19515.720476/2015-83   Alleged irregularities in the SAT payments for the periods 01/2011 to 12/2012   The lawsuit was converted into a measure in January 2018.  A statement will be made after the prosecutor’s measure has concluded. The Brazilian Administrative Council of Tax Appeals (CARF) issued a decision in favor of the Company on September 22, 2018.  We are currently expecting that the Ministry of Finance of Brazil will appeal.   59,481
                     
Tam Linhas Aéreas S.A.   Court of the Second Region.   2001.51.01.012530-0  

Ordinary judicial action brought for the purpose of declaring the nonexistence of legal relationship obligating the company to collect the Air Fund.

 

 

Unfavorable court decision in first instance. Currently expecting the ruling on the appeal filed by the company.

In order to suspend chargeability of Tax Credit a Guaranty Deposit to the Court was delivered for THUS$106.

The court decision requesting that the Expert make all clarifications requested by the parties in a period of 30 days was published on March 29, 2016. The plaintiffs’ submitted a petition on June 21, 2016 requesting acceptance of the opinion of their consultant and an urgent ruling on the dispute. No amount additional to the deposit that has already been made is required if this case is lost.

  87,538
                     
Tam Linhas Aéreas S.A.   Internal Revenue Service of Brazil.   10880.725950/2011-05  

Compensation credits of the Social Integration Program (PIS) and Contribution for Social Security Financing (COFINS) Declared on DCOMPs.

 

  The objection (manifestação de inconformidade) filed by the company was rejected, which is why the voluntary appeal was filed.  The case was assigned to the 1st Ordinary Group of Brazil’s Administrative Council of  Tax Appeals (CARF) on June 8, 2015. TAM’s appeal was included in the CARF session held August 25, 2016. An agreement that converted the proceedings into a formal case was published on October 7, 2016. The amount has been reduced after some set-offs were approved by the Department of Federal Revenue of Brazil.  

26,293

 


Company   Court   Case Number   Origin   Stage of trial  

Amounts

Committed (*)

                    ThUS$
                     
Aerovías de Integración Regional, AIRES S.A.  

United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, Florida, U.S.A.

 

45th Civil Court of the Bogota Circuit in Colombia.

  2013-20319 CA 01  

The July 30, 2012 Aerovías de Integración Recional, Aires S.A. (LATAM AIRLINES COLOMBIA) initiated a legal process in Colombia against Regional One INC and Volvo Aero Services LLC, to declare that these companies are civilly liable for moral and material damages caused to LATAM AIRLINES COLOMBIA arising from breach of contractual obligations of the aircraft HK-4107.

The June 20, 2013 AIRES SA And / Or LATAM AIRLINES COLOMBIA was notified of the lawsuit filed in U.S. for Regional One INC and Dash 224 LLC for damages caused by the aircraft HK-4107 arguing failure of LATAM AIRLINES GROUP S.A. customs duty to obtain import declaration when the aircraft in April 2010 entered Colombia for maintenance required by Regional One.

 

 

 

Colombia. This case is being heard by the 45th Civil Court of the Bogota Circuit in Colombia. Statements were taken from witnesses presented by REGIONAL ONE and VAS on October 31, 2018. The court received the expert opinions requested by REGIONAL ONE and VAS and given their petition, it asked the experts to expand upon their opinions. It also changed the experts requested by LATAM AIRLINES COLOMBIA. The case was brought before the Court on September 10, 2018 and these rulings are pending processing so that a new hearing can be scheduled. On October 31, 2018, the judge postponed the deadline for the parties to answer the objection because of a serious error brought to light by VAS regarding the translation submitted by the expert. The process has been in the judge’s chambers since March 11, 2019 to decide on replacing the damage estimation expert as requested by LATAM AIRLINES COLOMBIA. The one previously appointed did not take office. A petition has also been made by VAS objecting to the translation of the documents in English into Spanish due to serious mistakes, which was served to the parties in October 2018. The 45th Civil Circuit Court issued an order on August 13, 2019 that did not decide on the pending matters but rather voided all actions since September 14, 2018 and ordered the case to be referred to the 46th Civil Circuit Court according to article 121 of the General Code of Procedure. Said article says that court decisions must be rendered in no more than one (1) year as from the service of the court order admitting the claim. If that period expires without any ruling being issued, the Judge will automatically forfeit competence over the proceedings and must give the Administrative Room of the Superior Council of the Judiciary notice of that fact the next day, in addition to referring the case file to the next sitting judge in line, who will have competence and will issue a ruling in no more than 6 months. The case was sent to the 46th Civil Circuit Court on September 4, 2019, which claims that there was a competence conflict and then sent the case to the Superior Court of Bogotá to decide which court, the 45th or 46th, had to continue with the case.

Florida. On June 4, 2019, the State Court of Florida allowed REGIONAL ONE to add a new claim against LATAM AIRLINES COLOMBIA for default on a verbal contract. Given the new claim, LATAM AIRLINES COLOMBIA petitioned that the Court postpone the trial to August 2019 to have the time to investigate the facts alleged by REGIONAL ONE to prove a verbal contract. The State Court granted the postponement of a jury trial to June 2020. In the meantime, the discovery stage continues, including verbal statements by experts on behalf of both parties. There may be some change in the committed amount, which will be reported in due course.

  12,443

Company   Court   Case Number   Origin   Stage of trial  

Amounts

Committed (*)

                    ThUS$
                     

Tam Linhas Aéreas S.A.

 

  Internal Revenue Service of Brazil   10880.722.355/2014-52  

On August 19, 2014 the Federal Tax Service issued a notice of violation stating that compensation credits Program (PIS) and the Contribution for the Financing of Social Security COFINS by TAM are not directly related to the activity of air transport.

 

  An administrative objection was filed on September 17, 2014. A first-instance ruling was rendered on June 1, 2016 that was partially favorable.  The separate fine was revoked. A voluntary appeal was filed on June 30, 2016, which is pending a decision by CARF. On September 9, 2016, the case was referred to the Second Division, Fourth Chamber, of the Third Section of the Administrative Council of Tax Appeals (CARF).   65,895
                     

TAM Linhas Aéreas S.A.

 

  Sao Paulo Labor Court, Sao Paulo  

1001531-73.2016.5.02.0710

 

  The Ministry of Labor filed an action seeking that the company adapt the ergonomics and comfort of seats.   In August 2016, the Ministry of Labor filed a new lawsuit before the competent Labor Court in Sao Paulo, in the same terms as case 0000009-45.2016.5.02.090, as previously reported, the hearing date is set for October 22, 2018.  We were served the decision completely dismissing the claim in March 2019, against which the plaintiff has filed an appeal.  We are now awaiting the hearing by the Court of Appeals.   17,982
                     
LATAM Airlines Group S.A.   22° Civil Court of Santiago   C-29.945-2016   The Company received notice of a civil liability claim by Inversiones Ranco Tres S.A. on January 18, 2017.  It is represented by Mr. Jorge Enrique Said Yarur.  It was filed against LATAM Airlines Group S.A. for an alleged contractual default by the Company and against Ramon Eblen Kadiz, Jorge Awad Mehech, Juan Jose Cueto Plaza, Enrique Cueto Plaza and Ignacio Cueto Plaza, directors and officers, for alleged breaches of their duties.  In the case of Juan Jose Cueto Plaza, Enrique Cueto Plaza and Ignacio Cueto Plaza, it alleges a breach, as controllers of the Company, of their duties under the incorporation agreement.  LATAM has retained legal counsel specializing in this area to defend it.   The claim was answered on March 22, 2017 and the plaintiff filed its replication on April 4, 2017.  LATAM filed its rejoinder on April 13, 2017, which concluded the argument stage of the lawsuit.  A reconciliation hearing was held on May 2, 2017, but the parties did not reach an agreement.   The Court issued the evidentiary decree on May 12, 2017.  We filed a petition for reconsideration because we disagreed with certain points of evidence.  That petition was partially sustained by the Court on June 27, 2017.  The evidentiary stage commenced and then concluded on July 20, 2017.  Observations to the evidence must now be presented.  That period expires August 1, 2017.  We filed our observations to the evidence on August 1, 2017.  We were served the decision on December 13, 2017 that dismissed the claim since LATAM was in no way liable.  The plaintiff filed an appeal on December 26, 2017.  Arguments were pled before the Santiago Court of Appeals on April 23, 2019, and on April 30, 2019, this Court confirmed the ruling of the trial court absolving LATAM.  The losing party was ordered to pay costs in both cases. On May 18, 2019, Inversiones Ranco Tres S.A. filed a remedy of vacation of judgment based on technicalities and on substance against the Appellate Court decision.  The Appellate Court admitted both appeals on May 29, 2019 and the appeals are pending a hearing by the Supreme Court.  

17,705

 

 


Company   Court   Case Number   Origin   Stage of trial  

Amounts

Committed (*)

                    ThUS$
                     

TAM Linhas Aéreas S.A.

 

 

 

10th Jurisdiction of Federal Tax

Enforcement of Sao Paulo

 

0061196-68.2016.4.03.6182

 

  Tax Enforcement Lien No. 0020869-47.2017.4.03.6182 on Profit-Based Social Contributions from 2004 to 2007.   This tax enforcement was referred to the 10th Federal Jurisdiction on February 16, 2017.  A petition reporting our request to submit collateral was recorded on April 18, 2017.  At this time, the period is pending for the plaintiff to respond to our petition. The bond was replaced. We are waiting for the evidentiary period to begin.   39,584
                     
TAM Linhas Aéreas S.A.   Department of Federal Revenue of Brazil   5002912.29.2019.4.03.6100   A lawsuit disputing the debit in the administrative proceeding 16643.000085/2009-47, reported in previous Notes, consisting of a notice demanding recovery of the Income and Social Assessment Tax on the net profit (SCL) resulting from the itemization of royalties and use of the TAM trademark   The lawsuit was assigned on February 28, 2019.  A decision was rendered on March 1, 2019 stating that no guarantee was required.  A final decision is now pending.   11,139
                     

TAM Linhas Aéreas S.A.

 

  DERAT SPO (Delegacía de Receita Federal)  

13808.005459/2001-45

 

  Collection of the Social Security Funding Contribution (COFINS) based on gross revenue of the company in the period 1999-2000.   The decision on collection was pending through June 2, 2010.   23,228
                     

TAM Linhas Aéreas S.A

 

  Delegacía de Receita Federal  

10611.720630/2017-16

 

  This is an administrative claim about a fine for the incorrectness of an import declaration (new lawsuit).   The administrative defensive arguments were presented September 28, 2017. The Court dismissed the Company’s appeal in August 2019.  Then on September 17, 2019, Company filed a special appeal (CRSF (Higher Tax Appeals Chamber)) that is pending a decision.  

20,410

 

 

                     

TAM Linhas Aéreas S.A

 

  Delegacía de Receita Federal  

10611.720852/2016-58

 

  An improper charge of the Contribution for the Financing of Social Security (COFINS) on an import (new lawsuit).   We are currently awaiting a decision.  There is no predictable decision date because it depends on the court of the government agency.   14,631
                     

TAM Linhas Aéreas S.A

 

 

 

Delegacía de Receita Federal

 

  16692.721.933/2017-80   The Internal Revenue Service of Brazil issued a notice of violation because TAM applied for credits offsetting the contributions for the Social Integration Program (PIS) and the Social Security Funding Contribution (COFINS) that do not bear a direct relationship to air transport.   An administrative defense was presented on May 29, 2018.   31,381
                     

SNEA (Sindicato Nacional das empresas aeroviárias)

 

 

 

União Federal

 

 

0012177-54.2016.4.01.3400

 

  A claim against the 72% increase in airport control fees (TAT-ADR) and approach control fees (TAT-APP) charged by the Airspace Control Department (“DECEA”).   A decision is now pending on the appeal presented by SNEA.   63,951

Company   Court   Case Number   Origin   Stage of trial  

Amounts

Committed (*)

                    ThUS$
                     

TAM Linhas Aéreas S/A

 

 

União Federal

 

 

2001.51.01.020420-0

 

  TAM and other airlines filed a recourse claim seeking a finding that there is no legal or tax basis to be released from collecting the Additional Airport Fee (“ATAERO”).   A decision by the superior court is pending. The amount is indeterminate because even though TAM is the plaintiff, if the ruling is against it, it could be  

-0-

 

                     

TAM Linhas Aéreas S/A

 

  Delegacia da Receita Federal  

10880-900.424/2018-07

 

  This is a claim for a negative Legal Entity Income Tax (IRPJ) balance for the 2014 calendar year (2015 fiscal year) because set-offs were not allowed.     The administrative defensive arguments were presented March 19, 2018.  An administrative decision is now pending.   17,202
                     

TAM Linhas Aéreas S/A

 

  Department of Federal Revenue of Brazil  

19515-720.823/2018-11

 

  An administrative claim to collect alleged differences in SAT payments for the periods 11/2013 to 12/2017.   A defense was presented on November 28, 2018. The Court dismissed the Company’s appeal in August 2019.  Then on September 17, 2019, Company filed a voluntary appeal (CRSF (Administrative Tax Appeals Board)) that is pending a decision.   120,551
                     

TAM Linhas Aéreas S/A

 

  Department of Federal Revenue of Brazil  

10880.938832/2013-19

 

  The decision denied the reallocation petition  and did not equate the Social Security Tax (COFINS) credit declarations for the second quarter of 2011, which were determined to be in the non-cumulative system   An administrative defense was argued on March 19, 2019.  The decision is pending.   16,108
                     

TAM Linhas Aéreas S/A

 

  Department of Federal Revenue of Brazil  

10880.938834/2013-16

 

  The decision denied the reallocation petition  and did not equate the Social Security Tax (COFINS) credit declarations for the third quarter of 2011, which were determined to be in the non-cumulative system.   An administrative defense was argued on March 19, 2019.  The decision is pending.   11,777
                     

TAM Linhas Aéreas S/A

 

  Department of Federal Revenue of Brazil  

10880.938837/2013-41

 

  The decision denied the reallocation petition  and did not equate the Social Security Tax (COFINS) credit declarations for the fourth quarter of 2011, which were determined to be in the non-cumulative system.   An administrative defense was argued on March 19, 2019.  The decision is pending.   15,782

Company   Court   Case Number   Origin   Stage of trial  

Amounts

Committed (*)

                    ThUS$
                     

TAM Linhas Aéreas S/A

 

  Department of Federal Revenue of Brazil  

10880.938838/2013-96

 

  The decision denied the reallocation petition and did not equate the Social Security Tax (COFINS) credit declarations for the first quarter of 2012, which were determined to be in the non-cumulative system.   We presented our administrative defense.   10,891
                     

TAM Linhas Aéreas S/A

 

  Department of Federal Revenue of Brazil  

0012541-56.2016.5.03.0144

 

  A class action in which the Union is petitioning that TAM be ordered to make payment of the correct calculation of Sundays and holidays.   A hearing was set for December 17, 2019   14,423
                     

LATAM Airlines Argentina

 

  Commercial Trial Court No. 15 of Buenos Aires.  

11479/2012

 

  Proconsumer and Rafaella Cabrera filed a claim citing discriminating fees charged to foreign users as compared to domestic users for services retained in Argentina.   The trial court judge dismissed Mrs. Cabrera’s claim on March 7, 2019 and sustained the motion of lack of standing entered by Proconsumer.  The ruling was appealed by the plaintiff on April 8, 2019 and will be decided by Room D.   -0-
                     

LATAM Airlines Group Argentina, Brasil, Perú, Ecuador, y TAM Mercosur.

 

 

Commercial and Civil Trial Court No. 11 of Buenos Aires.

 

  1408/2017  

Consumidores Libres Coop. Ltda. filed this claim on March 14, 2017 regarding a provision of services. It petitioned for the reimbursement of certain fees or the difference in fees charged for passengers who purchased a ticket in the last 10 years but did not use it.

 

  Federal Commercial and Civil Trial Court No. 11 in the city of Buenos Aires.  After two years of arguments on jurisdiction and competence, the claim was assigned to this court and an answer was filed on March 19, 2019  

 

-0-

TAM Linhas Aéreas S.A   Department of Federal Revenue of Brazil   10.880.938842/2013-54   The decision denied the petition for reassignment and did not equate the CONFINS credit statements for the third quarter of 2012 that had been determined to be in the non-accumulative system.   We presented our administrative defense.   11,521
                     
TAM Linhas Aéreas S.A   Department of Federal Revenue of Brazil  

10.880.93844/2013-43

 

  The decision denied the petition for reassignment and did not equate the CONFINS credit statements for the third quarter of 2012 that had been determined to be in the non-accumulative system.   We presented our administrative defense   10,876

Company   Court   Case Number   Origin   Stage of trial  

Amounts

Committed (*)

                    ThUS$
                     
TAM Linhas Aéreas S.A   Department of Federal Revenue of Brazil   10880.938841/2013-18   The decision denied the petition for reassignment and did not equate the CONFINS credit statements for the second quarter of 2012 that had been determined to be in the non-accumulative system.   We presented our administrative defense.  

10,292

 

                     
TAM Linhas Aéreas S.A   Receita Federal de Brasil   10840.727719/2019-71   Collection of PIS / COFINS tax for the period of 2014.   We presented our administrative defense on January 11, 2020   42,276
                     
Latam-Airlines Ecuador S.A.   Tribunal Distrital de lo Fiscal   17509-2014-0088   An audit of the 2006 Income Tax Return that disallowed fuel expenses, fees and other items because the necessary support was not provided, according to Management.   On August 6, 2018, the District Tax Claims Court rendered a decision denying the request for a refund of a mistaken payment. An appeal seeking vacation of this judgment by the Court was filed on September 5 and we are awaiting a decision by the Appellate judges. As of December 31, 2018, the lawyers believe that the probability of recovering this amount has fallen by 30% to 40%, so the provision was increased to $8.7 million. We have applied IFRIC 23 as of 12/31/19 because of the percentage loss (more than 50%), and we have recorded the entire provision in the income tax item.  

12,505

                     
Latam Airlines Group S.A.   Southern District of Florida. United States District Court   19cv23965   A lawsuit filed by Jose Ramon Lopez Regueiro against American Airlines Inc. and Latam Airlines Group S.A. seeking an indemnity for damages caused by the commercial use of the Jose Marti International Airport in Cuba that he says were repaired and reconditioned by his family before the change in government in 1959.   Latam Airlines Group S.A. was served this claim on September 27, 2019. LATAM Airlines Group filed a motion to dismiss on November 26, 2019.  In response, a motion to suspend discovery was filed on December 23, 2019 while the Court was deciding on the motion to dismiss. The provision is undetermined.  

-0-


-In order to deal with any financial obligations arising from legal proceedings in effect at December 31, 2019, whether civil, tax, or labor, LATAM Airlines Group S.A. and Subsidiaries, has made provisions, which are included in Other non-current provisions that are disclosed in Note 21.

-The Company has not disclosed the individual probability of success for each contingency in order to not negatively affect its outcome.

(*)The Company has reported the amounts involved only for the lawsuits for which a reliable estimation can be made of the financial impacts and of the possibility of any recovery, pursuant to Paragraph 86 of IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets.

II.Governmental Investigations.

1) On July 25, 2016, LATAM reached agreements with the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regarding the investigation of payments for US$1,150,000 by Lan Airlines S.A. in 2006-2007 to a consultant advising it in the resolution of labor matters in Argentina.


The purpose of the investigation was to determine whether these payments violated the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) that: (i) forbids bribery of foreign government authorities in order to obtain a commercial advantage; and (ii) requires the companies that must abide by the FCPA to keep appropriate accounting records and implant an adequate internal control system. The FCPA is applicable to LATAM because of its ADR program in effect on the U.S. securities market.


After an exhaustive investigation, the DOJ and SEC concluded that there was no violation of the bribery provisions of the FCPA, which is consistent with the results of LATAM’s internal investigation. However, the DOJ and SEC consider that LATAM accounted for these payments incorrectly and, consequently, infringed the part of the FCPA requiring companies to keep accurate accounting records. These authorities also consider that LATAM’s internal controls in 2006-2007 were weak, so LATAM would have also violated the provisions in the FCPA requiring it to maintain an adequate internal control system.


The agreements signed, included the following:


(a) The agreement with the DOJ involves: (i) entering into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (“DPA”), which is a public contract under which the DOJ files public charges alleging an infringement of the FCPA accounting regulations. LATAM is not obligated to answer these charges, the DOJ will not pursue them for a period of 3 years, and the DOJ will dismiss the charges after expiration of that 3-year period provided LATAM complies with all terms of the DPA. In exchange, LATAM must admit to the negotiated events described in the DPA and agree to pay the negotiated fine explained below and abide by other terms stipulated in the agreement; (ii) clauses in which LATAM admits that the payments to the consultant in Argentina were incorrectly accounted for and that at the time those payments were made (2006-2007), it did not have adequate internal controls in place; (iii) LATAM’s agreement to have an outside consultant monitor, evaluate and report to the DOJ on the effectiveness of LATAM’s compliance program for a period of 27 months; and LATAM’s agreement to continue evaluating and reporting directly to the DOJ on the effectiveness of its compliance program for a period of 9 months after the consultant’s work concludes; and (iv) LATAM paid a fine of ThUS$ 12,750.


(b) The agreement with the SEC involves: (i) accepting a Cease and Desist Order, which is an administrative resolution of the SEC closing the investigation, in which LATAM will accept certain obligations and statements of fact that are described in the document; (ii) accepting the same obligations regarding the consultant mentioned above; and (iii) LATAM paid a fine of ThUS$ 6,744 and interest of ThUS$ 2,694.


On May 15, 2019, the external consultant certified that the Anticorruption program of LATAM Airlines Group S.A. It is reasonably designed and implemented to prevent and detect violations within LATAM to anti-corruption laws.


On July 23, 2019, the DOJ approved the certification made by the consultant on May 15, 2019 regarding the Anticorruption program of LATAM Airlines Group S.A.


On January 31, 2020, the Florida Court sustained the DOJ’s motion to withdraw the criminal action filed against LATAM Airlines Group S.A. as LATAM had fulfilled all the conditions in the DPA. So, the DOJ case is closed.


2) On April 6, 2019, LATAM Airlines Group S.A. received notification of the resolution issued by the National Economic Prosecutor’s Office (FNE), which begins an investigation into the LATAM Pass frequent passenger program. The last move in the cause Role No. 2530-19 leading this investigation corresponds to LATAM Airlines Group S.A. response in May 2019.


3) On July 9, 2019, LATAM Airlines Group S.A. received the resolution issued by the National Economic Prosecutor’s Office (FNE), which begins an investigation into the Alliance Agreement between LATAM Airlines Group S.A. and American Airlines INC. The last move in the cause Role No. 2565-19 leading this investigation corresponds to a statement on September 11, 2019


4) On July 26, 2019, the National Consumer Service of Chile (SERNAC) issued the Ordinary Resolution No. 12,711 which proposed to initiate a collective voluntary mediation procedure on effectively informing passengers of their rights in cases of cancellation of flights or no show to boarding, as well as the obligation to return the respective boarding fees as provided by art. 133 C of the Aeronautical Code. The Company has voluntarily decided to participate in this procedure, the terms and conditions of which are being negotiated.


5) On October 15, 2019, LATAM Airlines Group S.A. received the resolution issued by the National Economic Prosecuting Authority (FNE) advising of the start of an investigation into the agreement between LATAM Airlines Group S.A. and Delta Airlines, Inc. (Case number 2585-19). The Company is cooperating in this investigation.


6) On December 11, 2019, LATAM Airlines Group S.A. received Office No. 122019 / FFD / 208993 by the Fiscalía Regional Metropolitana Centro Norte, requesting information on statements that appeared in the press in Brazil about alleged payments to public officials within the framework of the Asociación Brasileña de Compañías Aéreas, ABEAR. Cause No. 2585-19. The Company is currently cooperating with this process.