Litigation Writs 11/10/99

Richard Branson's company V2 Music is being sued for $250,000 (£156,000) allegedly owed in respect of the fourth album of singer Heather Nova. The claim alleges that V2 Music entered into an agreement with Heather Nova and Butterfly Recordings in February 1997 under which it would pay the sum if it exercised an option for a fourth album. That agreement is said to have updated a 1993 agreement. It is alleged that V2 exercised its option for the fourth album this year, but has refused to pay Butterfly Recordings the money. Now Butterfly Recordings is suing V2 for payment.

Claim issued by Russells, London W1



Supermarket giant ASDA is taking a Colchester man to the High Court in a battle over a lease. The retailer has issued a claim against Adnan Ademoglu seeking a declaration that notice given to him terminating a lease agreement in respect of part of premises at 19-23 Queen Street, Colchester, was valid.

Claim issued by Eversheds, Birmingham



Grosvenor Estate Holdings is being taken to the High Court by Dorothea Costopoulos, who claims her home in London's Eaton Square was damp and wet. Costopoulos claims she suffered inconvenience, anxiety and distress as a result of years of water and damp penetration into the property at 95 Eaton Square, SW1, and that, given its value and prestigious location, she could reasonably have expected it to be maintained to the highest standard. She became leaseholder of the flat in 1987, and claims that between 1987 and 1994 it suffered from water penetration from the terrace above. It is alleged that the roof terrace was not in good or substantial repair and, if it had been, water would not have entered her flat. Grosvenor Estates is said to have been aware of the problem and to have tried unsuccessfully until August 1994 to repair it. It is alleged that, despite the agent's efforts, it was in breach of covenant by failing to keep the premises in good and substantial repair and decoration.

Claim issued by Pothecary & Barratt, London, EC3



Ian Daniels, of Pulborough in Sussex, is suing the chief executive of Horsham District Council and St Leonards Nursing Home, of Hampers Lane, Horsham, for damages for injuries that he allegedly suffered as a result of an unspecified incident. The incident took place in March 1996 at Hampers Lane. The claim accuses both the council and the nursing home of negligence and breach of statutory duty.

Claim issued by Sinclairs, London, NW



A Slough woman whose husband died from an asbestos-related disease has launched a High Court compensation action in London. According to the claim, issued by Maria Smith, Thomas Smith died on 6 February 1995 after contracting an industrial disease. Mrs Smith claims the disease was caused by exposure to asbestos between 1950 and 1956. Mrs Smith is suing White Knight Laundry, of London EC3, for damages arising from the death of her husband.

Claim issued by Field Fisher Waterhouse, London, EC