The Monty Python movie The Life of Brian is at the centre of a legal row over claims that its distributors wrongly gave the film's rights to Channel Four Television for 20 years. Python (Monty) Pictures, of London NW1, has issued a writ against Paragon Entertainment, of Toronto, and Channel Four Television, in which it accuses Paragon of breaching production and distribution agreements by failing to exploit the film properly, failing to hand over money due, and refusing Python's auditors access to its books.

Writ issued by Brennan Lambeth Partnership, London WC

Edwin Watson & Son and RJ Smith, both of Norwich, are being taken to the High Court by the UCB Bank. They are being sued over alleged negligence, breach of duty and breach of contract in November 1990 in respect of valuation of property at an Ipswich business park.

Writ issued by Kingsford Stacey, London WC2

Solicitors Peter Mann, of Bristol, faces a High Court claim by National Home Loans Corporation for alleged negligence, breach of contract, and trust in acting as solicitors in connection with a mortgage advance in respect of property in Bristol, in November 1990.

Writ issued by Hamlin Slowe, London W

EastEnders actor Sid Owen is being sued for libel damages by the woman who brought him up after his mother died. Carol Sullivan has issued a High Court writ against Owen, in his real name of David Sutton, and against her sister Flossie Orrow. Owen sued Sullivan and her husband in 1990, claiming to be owed money, but the court case ended in 1994 after a judge ruled there was no money owing, and that Owen should pay her costs. However, the writ says that after Owen and Orrow talked to journalists from The News of the World, a piece was published on June 16. Sullivan claims her reputation has been seriously damaged as a result of what appeared, and that she has suffered great distress, embarrassment and humiliation.

Writ issued by Needleman Treon, London W

Sir James Goldsmith has launched a High Court libel action against Euro MP Glyn Ford over two articles published last November, one in Tribune and the other in Euro-MP.

Writ issued by Peter Carter-Ruck, London EC4