A prison officer who claims he was unable to work after being assaulted by three other prison officers at HMP Pentonville's staff Christmas party in 1994 is suing the Home Office for compensation. According to the writ, prison officer David Gardyne head-butted Michael Nsonwu as he was about to leave the party. The writ claims that as Gardyne was assaulting him, prison officers Peter Thompson and James Urban joined in to assist Gardyne by pinning Nsonwu against a wall.

Writ was issued by Nsonwu in person.

David Turner, of Warminster, has issued a writ seeking damages from St Helier NHS Trust of Carshalton, Surrey, following the death of his wife, Lisa. The late Mrs Turner's mother, Mary Crowther, is also seeking damages. The writ claims that Mrs Turner's death was the result of negligence.

It accuses the trust of failing to carry out a renal ultrasound check and insertion of a nephrostomy in order to bring septicaemia under control adequately, at all, or in time to save Mrs Turner's life. It also accuses the trust of negligence in failing to alleviate her pain, suffering and loss of amenity before her death. Mrs Turner's mother seeks damages in respect of psychiatric illness and nervous shock that she claims she suffered as a result of the health authority's negligence.

Writ issued by Cunningham John & Co, Thetford.

A golf and country club in Dartmouth is at the centre of a High Court damages claim. Hout Holdings, of St Helier, Jersey, is suing Vine Developments, Uxbridge, for compensation alleging contracts have been breached in respect of development plans for the complex. Hout claims that Vine, which has owned Dartmouth Golf and Country Club, including eight cottages and development land, since March 1996, has gone back on a deal struck in respect of the club.

Writ issued by Lloyd & Co, London EC2.

An Oxford man is being sued by South Shropshire District Council for more than £90,000 – the cost of demolishing the house he owned in Ludlow. The total claim by the council is for £90,056 with interest of £947.44 and continuing interest of £19.73 a day, and follows the demolition of the property which the writ says had been declared a dangerous structure.

Writ issued by Sharpe Pritchard, London WC1.