v3.23.2
Legal Proceedings
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Legal Proceedings Legal Proceedings
In the ordinary course of our business, from time to time we are subject to legal proceedings, lawsuits, government investigations and other claims with respect to a variety of matters. In addition, we are subject to periodic reviews, inspections, examinations and investigations by regulators in the U.S. and other jurisdictions, any of which may result in claims, legal proceedings, assessments, fines, penalties, restrictions on our business or other sanctions. We record estimated expenses and reserves for legal or regulatory matters or other claims when these matters present loss contingencies that are probable and the related amount is reasonably estimable. Any such accruals may be adjusted as circumstances change. Assessments of losses are inherently subjective and involve unpredictable factors. While the outcome of legal and regulatory matters is inherently difficult to predict and/or the range of loss often cannot be reasonably estimable, we do not believe that the liabilities, other than the potential $725 million termination fee payable to Black Knight and our accruals related to potential regulatory settlements of $11 million, which may ultimately result from the resolution of the various legal and regulatory matters that arise in the ordinary course of our business, including the matter described below and those described in Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of our 2022 Form 10-K, are likely to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity. It is possible, however, that future results of operations for any particular quarterly or annual period could be materially and adversely affected by any developments relating to these legal and regulatory matters. A range of possible losses related to certain cases cannot be reasonably estimated at this time, except as otherwise disclosed below and in Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of our 2022 Form 10-K. Individual matter disclosures in this Form 10-Q are limited to new significant matters or significant updates on existing matters since the 2022 Form 10-K.
Black Knight Transaction Litigation
On March 9, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission, or the FTC, filed an administrative complaint alleging that the proposed transaction between ICE and Black Knight, if consummated, would be an unfair method of competition in violation of Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, and that it would substantially lessen competition, or tend to create a monopoly, in violation of Section 7 of the Clayton Act. The complaint seeks a variety of injunctive relief, including, among other things, a prohibition on the completion of the transaction without the FTC’s consent and, if the transaction is completed, a divestiture or reconstitution of assets in a manner that restores such separate and independent businesses as the parties had operated prior to the completion of the transaction. On April 10, 2023, the FTC filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction enjoining the completion of the transaction. On April 21, 2023, the court entered a temporary restraining order enjoining the completion of the transaction until the court rules on the FTC’s motion for a preliminary injunction. In their answers to the administrative and court complaints, filed on March 20, 2023 and April 25, 2023, respectively, ICE and Black Knight denied the FTC’s substantive allegations; asserted numerous affirmative defenses; described the pro-competitive aspects and significant lender, servicer, investor, vendor and consumer benefits relating to this transaction; and denied that the combination of their respective businesses would violate any laws. Additionally, the answers to the court complaint contained counterclaims by ICE and Black Knight against the FTC seeking declaratory relief that the FTC’s administrative process is unconstitutional and should be enjoined. On July 17, 2023, the district court entered an order granting a joint motion by the parties to continue the evidentiary hearing on the FTC's motion for a preliminary injunction, and rescheduled the hearing to August 14, 2023. In continuing the hearing, the court noted that the parties are discussing a potential resolution of the matter resulting from the announcement of the planned divestiture of the Optimal
Blue business (see Note 3) and the FTC’s analysis of the implications of the divestiture for this case and the administrative complaint. On July 19, 2023, FTC counsel filed an unopposed motion with the FTC to withdraw the administrative complaint from adjudication; on July 25, 2023, the FTC granted this motion. We are vigorously defending against the FTC’s court complaint.
For further information on our legal and regulatory matters, please see Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of our 2022 Form 10-K.