Prestigious City offices taken on by Badenoch & Clark at 16-18 New Bridge Street, London EC4, failed to meet up to expectations, according to a writ issued in the Chancery Division. It claims that some of the furniture at the offices, which cost £124,623 a year, had a "Steptoe and Son" look about it. The reception porter was alleged to have been asleep at the reception with his feet up in the middle of the afternoon on one occasion. Badenoch & Clark is suing landlord Haslemere Estates, of London W1, for more than £250,000 in respect of the offices that it claims downmarketed it image.

Writ issued by Berger Oliver & Co, London W1.

Post Office Counters is suing West Sussex postmaster Trevor Chadd of Partridge Green for £51,000 in respect of money it claims he received between January 1995 and December 1996. It has issued a writ in which it accuses Chadd of breach of his contract as a sub-postmaster and breach of his fiduciary duties.

Writ issued by Kingsford Stacey, London WC2, agents for the Post Office solicitors.

The Beatles management company Apple is suing a San Francisco promotions company for the cost of its legal fees after winning a court case in California. Apple has issued a writ claiming US$108,231 and £16,798 from Determined Productions. The writ alleges that on 18 December 1990

Determined Productions was appointed Apple's agent for licences to third parties to develop, promote and market merchandise exploiting The Beatles. But it claims that in November 1995 Determined Productions sued Apple in the Superior Court of the state of California for alleged breach of the agreement. The action was dismissed in September 1996, but Apple says it ran up legal costs of US$108,231 for US lawyers fees and expenses, and £16,798.36 for English lawyers fees and expenses. It is seeking payment of those fees along with interest of US$332 and £51, and continuing interest of US$23.72 and £3.68 per day.

Writ issued by Frere Cholmeley Bischoff, London EC4.

Solicitors Price Williams & Ostler of London WC1 are being sued by the Cheltenham and Gloucester for damages for alleged negligence when the firm acted as solicitors between April and June 1990 in connection with a mortgage advance.

Writ issued by Church Adams Tatham, London WC1.