Gulf spill judge says never too early to settle

The U.S. judge overseeing the hundreds lawsuits filed by shrimpers, restaurateurs and others against BP Plc (BP.L) (BP.N) and its partners as a result of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill urged the parties on Thursday to consider an agreement to avoid a trial. Most of the cases were sent from around the United States to U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier in New Orleans. He will oversee what is expected to be among the costliest and most complex litigation in U.S. history.