UCL Universal Coal

RNS Number:4816V
Billing Services Group Limited
12 December 2005


For immediate release                                           12 December 2005


            Billing Services Group Limited ("BSG" or "the Company")

                                Potential Offer



BSG has noted the press speculation concerning its possible acquisition of
United Clearing Plc ("United Clearing").  BSG can confirm that it has been in
discussions with the Board of United Clearing regarding a potential recommended
securities exchange offer for the entire issued and to be issued share capital
of United Clearing valuing each United Clearing share at a price of
approximately 132p.



A further announcement will be made in due course.



Enquiries:


Billing Services Group Limited                       Tel: +1 847 832 0077
Patrick J. Haynes III, Chief Executive
Randall Brouckman, Chief Operating Officer


Buchanan Communications                              Tel: +44 (0)20 7466 5000
Bobby Morse / Jeremy Garcia / James Strong


Evolution Securities Limited                         Tel: +44 (0)20 7071 4300
Michael Brennan / Stuart Andrews / Fergus Marcroft



Evolution Securities Limited which is regulated in the U.K. by the Financial
Services Authority, is acting exclusively for BSG in relation to the matters
described in this announcement and no one else and will not be responsible to
anyone other than BSG for providing the protections afforded to clients of
Evolution Securities Limited nor for providing advice in relation to the matters
described in this announcement.



BSG shares have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of
1933, as amended ("U.S. Securities Act") and may not be offered, sold, pledged
or otherwise transferred except (a)(1) in an Offshore Transaction complying with
Rule 904 of U.S. Regulation S or (2) pursuant to an exemption from registration
under the U.S. Securities Act and (b) in accordance with all applicable
securities laws of the states of the United States.



An "Offshore Transaction" is an offer of BSG shares not made to a person in the
United States and, at the time a buy order is originated, the buyer is outside
the United States or the seller reasonably believed the buyer was outside the
United States, so long as such offer or sale was not specifically targeted at
identifiable groups of United States citizens living abroad (such as members of
the United States armed forces living overseas); provided, however, an offer or
sale to a person identified in Rule 902(k)(2)(vi) of U.S. Regulation S shall be
deemed to be made in an Offshore Transaction.



"U.S. Regulation S" is Regulation S promulgated by the United States Securities
and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Act, including the preliminary
notes thereto.



Dealing Disclosure Requirements:



Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the
"Code"), if any person is, or becomes "interested" (directly or indirectly) in
1% or more of any class of "relevant securities" of BSG or of United Clearing,
all "dealings" in any "relevant securities" of that company (including by means
of an option in respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such "relevant
securities") must be publicly disclosed by no later than 3.30 pm (London time)
on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction.  This
requirement will continue until the date on which the offer becomes, or is
declared, unconditional as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn or
on which the "offer period" otherwise ends.  If two or more persons act together
pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to
acquire an "interest" in "relevant securities" of BSG or United Clearing, they
will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.



Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all "dealings" in "relevant
securities" of BSG or United Clearing by BSG or United Clearing, or by any of
their respective "associates", must be disclosed by no later than 12.00 noon
(London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant
transaction.



A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose "relevant
securities" "dealings" should be disclosed, and the number of such securities in
issue, can be found on the Takeover Panel's website at
www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.



"Interests in securities" arise, in summary, when a person has long economic
exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of
securities.  In particular, a person will be treated as having an "interest" by
virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option in
respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities.



Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can also be found on the
Panel's website.  If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are required
to disclose a "dealing" under Rule 8, you should consult the Panel.






                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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