A Perthshire couple whose son died from Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease has joined the increasing number of litigants to issue writs against the UK Medical Research Council and the Secretary of State for Health. Alexander and Isabella Copland, of Dunblane, are suing in respect of their son Brian, who died from the disease on 16 May 1992 aged 31. It is claimed he contracted it as a result of receiving human growth hormone injections.

Writ issued by Irwin Mitchell, Sheffield.

A County Galway building labourer severely injured when a load of timber fell onto him as he worked on a London building site is suing R O'Rourke Building, of Grays, Essex. In his writ, 47-year-old Sean

O'Malley says the accident happened on 14 May 1992 at a site in Hammersmith when a bundle of timber on a forklift truck fell onto him. He claims he suffered a fracture and dislocation of his right ankle, which needed three operations, and that he has been left with scarring and permanent disability. It is expected that any further deterioration of his ankle will render him permanently unfit for labouring work or any job which involves climbing or using ladders.

Writ issued by Wilson Barca London W1.

A couple who paid £360,000 for a luxury penthouse apartment in London's Docklands, is suing developers Fairclough Homes claiming their dream home was uninhabitable. Neil and Clare Yates, who bought the property at King and Queen Wharf, London SE16, say in their writ they paid £360,000 for a 125-year lease on the flat and car parking spaces after being induced to buy by advertisements for the "top quality apartments" with "top quality specifications" and a "luxury penthouse with highest standards of finish" which were "homes of style and luxury," with "luxury carpeting". However, they accuse the developers of making false, inaccurate and misleading claims about the property. The writ claims Fairclough carried out defective work using inferior and unsuitable materials so the penthouse was unfit for habitation on completion. It says that ceiling heating was defective, underfloor heating was insufficient, carpets were damaged by a "black solidified material", and the general finish was of low quality. The writ says the penthouse was worth considerably less than was paid for it.

Writ issued by David Parry & Co, Grays, Essex.