RBS succeeds in attempt to force lawsuits over £12bn rights issue to be combined High Court judge Robert Hildyard has ordered at least three different lawsuits to be made as one following a request from the state-backed bank. The decision means that more than 16,000 investors in the bank will be treated as one in the eyes of the court. The total amount to be claimed in compensation currently stands at £4.36bn. RBS said in court documents that to do so would "produce a single set of particulars telling only once the story upon which they wish to rely." The investors are disgruntled about the circumstances leading up to the rights issue in 2008, arguing that they were not given all the facts about the true state of the bank's balance sheet. Within seven months of the rights issue in April 2008, the Government was forced to bail out RBS with what became a £45bn lifeline. Claimants involved in the various lawsuits include Trustees of the Mineworkers" Pension Scheme, the Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme, the Electricity Pensions Trustees, and a series of individuals ING funds. The investors - some of whom named former RBS chief executive Fred Goodwin in their respective suits - have until April 15, 2014, to file a new claim.