FRANKFURT, Oct 9 (Reuters) - A German judge has renewed apush for Deutsche Bank AG and the family of latemedia mogul Leo Kirch to reach a settlement, the latest effortto settle one of Germany's longest-running corporate disputes.
Presiding Judge Guido Kotschy, who has repeatedly urged bothparties to reach a settlement, has asked for top representativesfrom both Kirch and Deutsche Bank to appear in court in Munichon Nov. 16. Deutsche co-Chief Executive Juergen Fitschen is setto attend the meeting.
If Kotschy uses the hearing to press for a settlement,Deutsche will reconsider the issue, a person close to the lendersaid on Tuesday.
Deutsche Bank and Kirch representatives declined to comment.
Kirch, who died aged 84 last year, sought for years torecoup about 2 billion euros ($2.6 billion) in damages fromDeutsche Bank.
Kirch claimed ex-Deutsche Chairman Rolf Breuer triggered hismedia group's downfall by questioning its creditworthiness in a2002 television interview.
In March, Deutsche Bank representatives and heirs to Kirchwere close to reaching an agreement, but failed to strike adeal.($1 = 0.7711 euros)
(Reporting by Philipp Halstrick; Writing by Edward Taylor;Editing by David Holmes)
((Edward.Taylor@thomsonreuters.com)(+49 69 7565 1187)(ReutersMessaging: edward.taylor.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
Keywords: DEUTSCHEBANK KIRCH/DISPUTE