major cases in THE NORTH WEST

Liverpool City Council v Walton Group

Halliwell Landau's Stephen Connolly and Paul Thomas acted for Liverpool City Council, instructing Peter Smith QC and Lesley Anderson of 40 King Street, Manchester. Bermans acted for Walton Group, instructing Dirik Jackson QC and Janet Bignall of Falcon Chambers, London.

First pure Woolf case in both the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Issues in the proceedings were construction of a contract and rectification.

Largest piece of litigation dealt with by Halliwell Landau in 2000, worth around £150m. Halliwells successful at first instance, decision reversed by Court of Appeal, leave to appeal to House of Lords refused.



Eton Travel Ltd v ICC Travel Systems Ltd

Addleshaw Booth & Co's Mark Amsden instructed Neil Berragan of Merchant Chambers, Manchester, for ICC, with Moon Beever instructing Paul Parker of Four New Square on behalf of Eton.

A contractual dispute valued at £2m over an IT system supplied by ICC to Eton. The trial in Birmingham's Technology and Construction Court lasted eight days before Eton's case collapsed during Berragan's cross-examination.



Jolley v Carmel Ltd

Halliwell Landau's Stephen Connolly and Katrina Mack acted for Carmel, instructing Peter Smith QC and Stephen Pritchett of 40 King Street, Manchester. Gorna & Co's Helen Hoath acted for Jolley, instructing David Berkley QC of Merchant Chambers, Manchester.

Construction of an agreement for sale of land conditional on obtaining planning, had the agreement been validly rescinded and/or repudiated. The case, valued at approximately £1m, was won by Carmel.



Motor and Legal Group v Hill House Hammond

Halliwell Landau's Stephen Connolly and Gary Bird acted for Motor and Legal, instructing Tom Ivory QC and Zoe O'Sullivan of One Essex Court. Hill House Hammond instructed Osborne Clarke, Bristol, which instructed Michel Kallipetis QC (left) and Charles Samek of Littleton Chambers.

Existence and enforceability of Claims Management Agreement. The case was valued at £20m (being the cost-loss of opportunity which Motor and Legal would suffer). Proceedings settled day before trial due to start.



Peter Nolan v Norglen Ltd, Mr C and Mrs P Rodgers and Mr Bernard Sharp

Claimant advised by Levys in Manchester, which instructed Stephen Cogley and Katherine Fisher of Merchant Chambers in Manchester. First defendant advised by Hague Lamberts solicitors but was not represented in court. Second and third defendants advised by Davies Wallis Foyster, which instructed Charles Purle QC of 12 New Square, London and Jeffrey Terry of 8 King Street, Manchester. Fourth defendant advised by Tinsdills in Stoke-on-Trent, which instructed Grant Crawford, joint head of chambers at 11 Old Square, London.

Successful defence of claim for specific performance, damages for breach of contract, breach of trust and conspiracy. The claim was valued at £800,000.



Winpar Holdings Ltd v Joseph Holt plc

Addleshaw Booth & Co's John Kelsey represented Joseph Holt and instructed Philip Gillyon of Erskine Chambers, London. The shareholder is represented by SJ Berwin, which instructed Stuart Adair of 24 Old Buildings, London.

Concerns the treatment in a takeover context of a quoted company's foreign shareholders, and is of widespread importance for UK-listed companies with overseas shareholders. Holt won in the Companies Court. The case is going to the Court of Appeal in May.



R v Underdown

Prosecuting counsel Anthony Gee QC and Paul Taylor of 28 St John Street, Manchester. Defending counsel Martin Steiger QC and Andrew Moore, both of 18 St John Street, Manchester, instructed by Gorvin Smith Forts, Manchester.

This was a baby-shaking case in the Court of Appeal. Judgment reserved.



Vehicle Inspectorate v York Pullman Ltd

Richard Serlin of 199 Strand Chambers in London instructed by the Vehicle Inspectorate. Shulmans instructed Mark Laprell of 18 St John Street in Manchester for York Pullman.

Case concerned heavy goods vehicles drivers' hours regime. York Pullman successfully defended a claim against one of its drivers.