The owners of industrial units in Croydon which were destroyed in a £1 million blaze have launched a High Court damages claim. Multibright is suing John Mason International, of Liverpool. It claims the September 1993 fire started in two skips filled with crates and pallets which were the responsibility of John Mason.

Writ was issued by Wansbroughs Willey Hargrave, London WC2. M44

Twenty-two people have issued a High Court writ claiming damages from Aeroflot Russian International Airlines, of Moscow, in respect of people killed when an Airbus A-310 aircraft crashed near the town of Mezhdurechensk, Siberia, in March 1994.

Writ issued by Sinclair Roche & Temperley, London EC2.

A Felixstowe customs officer cleared of threatening to kill a hospital patient with a knife has launched a High Court compensation claim against Suffolk police. Stephen Coltman has issued a writ claiming damages from Anthony Coe, Chief Constable of Suffolk Police, and PCs James Nicholls and Patrick McKenzie. Coltman was prosecuted for threatening to kill Catherine Bye but acquitted at Ipswich Crown Court on 14 January 1994, according to the writ. A customs officer for more than 20 years, Coltman, 40, claims his reputation was harmed and that he suffered deep depression after being suspended from the service, where his conduct had been exemplary.

Writ issued by Desmond Pye Partnership, London SE14.

Brewery company Whitbread has launched High Court action against Christopher Davis, landlord of the Flying Machine pub at Brockworth, Gloucestershire, to remove him from the premises. Its writ claims Davis has fallen into rent arrears and failed to pay for beers supplied to the pub.

Writ issued by Druces & Attlee, London EC2. W29

A market stallholder in Warrington, Cheshire, faces High Court moves to prevent him selling pharmaceutical products at prices lower than those recommended by the manufacturers. Reckitt and Colman Products, of Hull, and the Beecham Group, of Brentford, have issued writs against Paul's Market Shop. They are seeking a court order banning sale of their products at prices below those stipulated in their retail price lists.

Writs issued by McKenna & Co, London EC1. R373, R372