Nearly two million policyholders of Great-West Lifeco Inc. (TSX:GWO) and its London Life subsidiary could get payouts of an average $300 each after the company lost a class-action lawsuit over the financing of an acquisition it made 13 years ago.

A $455.7-million settlement is set to be distributed amongst 1.8 million Canadians after a judge in London, Ont. ruled Friday that Great-West breached sections of the Insurance Companies Act. when it transferred money from the accounts of subsidiaries London Life Insurance Co. and Great-West Life Assurance Co. to finance the 1997 takeover of London Insurance Group.

After a 45-day trial in London, Ont., Justice Johanne Morissette ordered Great-West Life, which is controlled by Montreal giant Power Financial Corp. (TSX:PWF), to pay $372 million to policyholders of London Life and $84 million to those of Great West Life.

All Canadians who held a participating life insurance policy of London Life Insurance Company or The Great-West Life Assurance Company between 1997 and the judgement issued Friday will be eligible for the one-time dividend, if the ruling holds up on an expected appeal.

Depending on the type of policy and how much was invested, the amount each policyholder receives could vary from as little as $50 to as much as $6000, but the average will be about $300 each, said a source familiar with the case who did not want to be named as it is still before the courts.

According to the terms of the judgement, a litigation trustee is to be set up and will distribute the assets in the trust as dividends.

Great West Life has said it will appeal the decision and that several aspects of the decision are "in error."

The company could not be reached for comment Monday. However, it said in a press release that even if the decision is upheld it is not expected to have a material impact on the capital position of the companies.