A solicitor is suing his own firm for negligence and damages in the region of £300,000 in connection with advice he received concerning his divorce.
Andrew Grove is suing Andrew Grove & Co, of which he is a partner, in the High Court. Grove is also suing his barrister, Bernard Limbrey of Three Dr Johnson’s Buildings.
The divorce settlement required Grove to transfer the entire £370,000 equity of his home to his wife and pay £12,000 a year maintenance for his children.
This decision was largely based on an expert witness’s valuation of Grove’s firm that he claims was significantly overestimated.
The expert valued it at £347,500. In his negligence claim Grove says it was worth only £12,000.
Browne Jacobson associate Jim Hobsley is representing Limbrey on the case, while sole practitioner Graham Goodwill is acting for Grove.
Readers' comments (15)
Mr Grumpy | 20-Apr-2010 9:16 am
This surely must rank as the story of the year.
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Rodger Price | 20-Apr-2010 10:14 pm
Interesting to know the basis of the valuation! Any lawyer doing a divorce with a company asset will be alive to the moveable feast that is a company valuation report!
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Anonymous | 21-Apr-2010 10:27 am
I don't get it. How does this work?
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Anonymous | 21-Apr-2010 2:50 pm
I'd love to see what his indemnity insurance premium for the next year will be! short sighted comes to mind!
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Anonymous | 21-Apr-2010 5:14 pm
Check out the website for his firm (must be the only solicitors website with a link to poems!).
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Anonymous | 22-Apr-2010 4:31 pm
Mystified as to how this could remotely pay off. If the firm is found culpable and negligent how can that attract clients? Is this a winding up exercise?
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Anonymous one | 22-Apr-2010 5:01 pm
I seem to recall that the question of whether a solicitor can sue himself has already been determined as a matter of law: I don' think he can.
I am sure the name of the case will come to me....
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Iggle Piggle | 22-Apr-2010 5:25 pm
The firm's website Q&As are interesting. According to the final answer, abuse claims may be eligible for financing on a "No Win No feel" basis.
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Edward McGill ARIA ARBUK | 23-Apr-2010 11:09 am
The true value of an asset can only be established by putting it to the market, no capable property professional would give an absolute valuation on a fixed asset prior to public auction. I can assure you that many properties are sold for more than anyone would ever expect and some for much less. We all know company valuations can be improved to attract investment or loans, every casual enquiry can be put on the books as a client , bad debts can be booked as assets etc. I know of one failed practice that booked its lease cars as assets only to the dismay of the bailffs sent to pick them up. So put the firm up for sale and see what you get which may be more than its worth.
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Anonymous | 25-Apr-2010 0:28 am
how dull and boring. and who cares ? nearly all lawyers are rogues in any event. the few exceptions move on to better things
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