Litigation Writs 21/2/2000

A van driver from Bedford is heading for a High Court showdown with Cambridge University over an accident in 1996 in which he was badly injured. Vincent Pierri of Elston, Bedford, suffered neck and back injuries, cuts, pain and shock and was left suffering from anxiety, stress and depression. His claim alleges that the accident, which took place on 28 November 1996, was caused when his Transit van was in a collision with a Ford Escort van being driven by a Cambridge University employee. He claims that the accident was caused by the employee driving too fast and losing control of his vehicle. Pierri says that he is handicapped and unemployed as a result of his injuries.

Claim issued by Sinclairs, London NW



A Nottingham woman is taking a Lincoln doctor and pharmaceutical giant Roche Products to the High Court over the effects of taking anti-malaria drug Lariam. Rebecca Shaw has launched proceedings against Dr Thurkettle of Lincoln and Roche of Welwyn Garden City. She seeks damages for personal injuries she claims she suffered after taking the drug. She claims that Roche was negligent and in breach of statutory duty in supplying, distributing and importing a defective medicinal product and that Thurkettle prescribed it to her negligently in June 1997.

Claim issued by Lawrence Tucketts, Bristol



Property owner Richard Hanley, whose house was badly damaged by tenants, is suing a firm of letting agents for damages of £100,000. The claim alleges that Adams Lettings and Management Services recommended Terry Gibney as a respectable and good tenant for the property in Hanwell, London. However, after Gibney committed suicide in November 1994, Hanley discovered that he had been subletting around 75 properties in Ealing to refugees and people on housing benefit. He claims that it took another three years before he was able to get possession of his property, which had been severely damaged. Repairs costing £23,500 are said to have been necessary and the claim alleges that it was then impossible to let the house for almost five years, with a resultant loss of £46,500 in rent. In addition to the claim for lost rent, Hanley is seeking damages for distress, which he claims he suffered as a direct result of the letting agent's actions. He alleges the letting agent knew that Gibney was not a professional person, that he never intended to occupy the property himself, and always intended to sublet the property to people on housing benefit,

but it fraudulently and wrongfully concealed this from him and helped Gibney let the house.

Claim issued by Le Brasseur J Tickle, London WC



Keith Pendry of Moreton- in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, is suing solicitor Richard Pearson, care of James Chapman, of Manchester, for damages arising out of his alleged breaches of fiduciary duty. The claim is for £99,352 but gives no indication as to the nature of the allegations against Pearson.

Claim issued by Kendall & Davies, Moreton-in-Marsh