Disputes

In our disputes blog we cover all sorts of topics, from civil litigation to commercial litigation. Issues discussed relevant to individuals include what to do if someone owes you money, recovering compensation for property damage, disputes with financial companies or insurance companies, and how to approach disputes between neighbours.

Defamation and privacy claims are common disputes featured in the media. Here we discuss current issues such as recent controversies over ‘gagging orders’ used by media personalities and sportspersons.

For business readers, we cover common questions on recovering debts, breach of contract claims, defamation claims and enforcing intellectual property rights. Other topics include using mediation and ADR to resolve disputes.

Have a browse for topics of interest. If you need legal advice on anything you come across, Contact Law can put you in touch with a solicitor specialising in your type of dispute.

Abramovich to face fellow Russian oligarch in High Court battle

Roman Abramovich is to face his former friend and fellow Russian oligarch, Boris Berezovsky, in the High Court after his appeal to have the claim struck out was dismissed by three senior appeal judges yesterday.

Government loses school building court battle

The government has lost its High Court battle against six councils over their plans to scrap the Building Schools for the Future projects in the councils’ areas.

News of the World phone hacking scandal continues as new evidence of recent hacking emerges

The News of the World is facing further controversy as fresh allegations of phone hacking have emerged today. The interior designer and stepmother to the actress Sienna Miller, Kelly Hoppen, is suing the tabloid for “accessing or attempting to access” her voicemail messages between June 2009 and March 2010.

‘Bloodgate’ physiotherapist wins appeal against being struck off

Former Harlequins physiotherapist Steph Brennan has won his High Court appeal against being struck off the Health Professions Council (HPC) register after his involvement in the bloodgate rugby scandal.

Ryanair challenges boarding pass decision in Spain

Ryanair is threatening to turn away passengers who have not printed out their own boarding pass if they do not win an appeal against a Spanish court ruling.

International horse rustling case continues in High Court

A 70-year-old pensioner from Derbyshire has been accused of illegally owning three prize winning horses which were allegedly stolen from a stable yard in Belgium one night in December 2008.

News of the World editor suspended over phone-hacking claims

A senior executive at the News of the World has been suspended from his duties for his alleged role in the hacking of the actress Sienna Miller’s phone.

Legal dispute between Pink Floyd and EMI over

The ten month court battle between veteran rock legends Pink Floyd and their record company EMI has come to end with the signing of a new five-year contract between the parties.

Airlines accused of ‘ignoring passenger rights’

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has found that a number of airlines have failed to meet their obligations owed to passengers under EU law during the snow-induced Christmas travel chaos this year.

UK investors to bring class action lawsuit against RBS

UK institutional investors who lost millions following the collapse of RBS in 2008 are considering bringing an American-style class action against the bank in the new year.

Politician Tommy Sheridan found guilty of perjury

The Scottish politician and former Big Brother contestant Tommy Sheridan has been found guilty of perjury after lying during his libel case against the News of the World in 2006.

Rift between Tévez and City grows

Manchester City may be forced to sell or sue the Argentinean captain if he refuses to play for the club or retires after submitting a transfer request last week.

Bernie Madoff fraud trial moves to London

The legal battle over the collapse of Bernard Madoff’s $50 billion (£31 billion) Ponzi scheme moved to London yesterday after the liquidators of his empire issued a new lawsuit against the directors of a London subsidiary.

Iceland to pay back over £3.4 billion to UK and the Netherlands

Iceland has agreed to pay back over £3.4 billion to the UK and Dutch governments after they had to bail out citizens who lost money when the online branch of Landsbanki, Icesave, collapsed in 2008.

European Court gives UK 6 months to allow prisoner voting

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has given the UK government a six month deadline to implement legislation allowing prisoners to vote. If the deadline is missed, the ECHR warns that the UK will face severe penalties.

Innocent smoothies are subject to VAT, judge rules – despite raw fruit being exempt

Innocent, the popular smoothie making company, yesterday lost its appeal against HM Revenue and Customs over their decision to not refund millions of pounds worth of VAT paid by the company over three years.

Twitter ‘joke’ trial to continue in High Court

Paul Chambers, 26, is to appeal his conviction for sending a menacing electronic communication, a tweet in which he joked he would blow up the Robin Hood Airport in South Yorkshire, in the High Court in London.

Former immigration minister seeks judicial review

Former Labour MP and immigration minister Phil Woolas has asked the High Court to conduct a judicial review in the hope that they will overturn the decision of the election court that found him guilty of deliberately lying about a rival candidate.

The Digital Economy Act ‘in limbo’ until next year

The High Court has granted a judicial review of the Digital Economy Act and its proposals which has placed the act in a ‘state of limbo’ until the hearing in February.

The law v twitter

Earlier this week, a conservative councillor from Birmingham, Gareth Compton, was arrested for a tweet sent to followers via the social media tool, twitter.