Norton Rose takes on Millennium Dome mandate for Kerzner

Norton Rose has secured an instruction from Kerzner International on the redevelopment of the Millennium Dome, despite previously facing a £1m lawsuit for its advice regarding the original development.

Corporate partner Chris Pearson and real estate partner David Sinclair are leading the Norton Rose team advising Kerzner on its proposals to develop and operate a £168m casino and hotel resort at London’s Millennium Dome.

Norton Rose had previously lost out on advising on the sale of the Millennium Dome after the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) instigated a lawsuit against the firm for £1.29m in damages in late 2001 on the grounds that the firm gave bad advice.

The lawsuit related to advice from the firm that was claimed to have led to a separate damages claim brought by sacked roofing contractor Koch Hightex against NMEC when its contract to
supply a PVC roof membrane was terminated in 1997.

However, Kerzner, a new entrant in the Millennium Dome saga, has now retained Norton Rose to assist with ensuring its development meets the ‘resort’, or ‘regional casino’, criteria defined by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport in the draft Gambling Bill.

The casino and hotel resort development comprises part of the regeneration of the Greenwich Peninsula, and will be included within Anschutz Entertainment Group’s plans to develop a 20,000-seat entertainment and sports arena within the Dome.

Norton Rose has also advised Kerzner on its recent binding agreement with Anschutz Entertainment Group for the development.

Herbert Smith real estate partner Richard Forsdyke and US firm Holme Roberts & Owen partners Kevin Conwick and Martha Collins Rolle are the principal advisers for Anschutz.