CC and Deloittes run up £2m on ITV Digital

Clifford Chance and client Deloitte & Touche have billed ITV Digital just under £2m between them for handling its administration.
Their fees to date cover seven weeks work, from 27 March when the administration order was made to 15 May. The Football League, which as one of ITV Digital's creditors has to approve both advisers' fees, has instructed its law firm Lawrence Graham to investigate the bill.
"We have to approve the legal fees as well as the administrators' fees. This is in the hands of our lawyers Lawrence Graham," said a Football League spokesperson.
ITV Digital's creditors will vote on these fees and other proposals surrounding the administration at a creditors' meeting in mid-June. It is expected that, after the meeting, Clifford Chance and Deloittes will continue working on the administration.
Deloittes has billed £1.25m for putting the company into administration, while Clifford Chance has run up fees of £654,000 advising the accountant.
Clifford Chance has billed £590,000 plus £64,000 for expenses. The expenses claim is understood to include barristers' fees. Clifford Chance instructed Gabriel Moss QC, Michael Crystal QC and junior Stephen Atherton, all of 3-4 South Square.
Clifford Chance declined to comment on the fees, as did Deloittes joint administrator Nick Dargan.
Meanwhile, Hobson Audley has been instructed by over 100 ITV Digital staff, who have formed the ex-ITV Digital Employees' Group. The firm has been asked to settle a case against ITV Digital (as well as Granada and Carlton) over lack of consultation and queries about outstanding payments allegedly owed to them following their dismissal from the company.
Head of employment at Hobson Audley Caroline Whiteley, corporate partner Paul Taylor and senior assistant Ravinda Mahal are handling the case. The firm has retained employment silk Andrew Stafford QC.
At present, no claim has been issued, either at an employment tribunal or in the High Court, but the parties are exploring settlement negotiations.
ITV Digital has not yet instructed an external law firm on this matter.