Viscount Dilhorne, along with Julian Haviland, Etienne Boileau and Patrick Locke, owners of property at 4 Princes Street, London W1, has issued a writ against Capitalstart and Rossmoregate, owners of number 5 Princes Street. The Viscount claims the companies, who own property neighbouring his in central London, have threatened to burn down his building. The writ seeks an injunction restraining the companies from committing or attempting to commit arson, by burning down the property or vandalising the building, and from molesting, annoying or interfering the owners or their agents or tenants, by telephoning them, calling on them or following them in any place, whether public or private.

An injunction restraining them from carrying out any work to the party wall without consent or without a formal party wall award is also being sought. The writ alleges that last year the companies started work on their property, demolishing the ground floor and building a five-storey rear extension, and started cutting into the party wall without consent. It claims the work involved trespass on the party wall and was unlawful. It claims that at a meeting on 31 October 1996, the companies threatened Viscount Dilhorne's agent, Drivers Jonas, and the tenants of 4 Princes Street with violence, and when they complained they threatened to burn the property down.

Writ issued by Eversheds, London EC4.

Ann Foster, of Omagh, County Tyrone, is suing the secretary of state for health for damages for personal injury and negligence as a result of human growth hormone she received between December 1976 and January 1983.

Writ issued by Irwin Mitchell, Sheffield.

An air freight company which claims it has been charged for fictitious transport services over a three-year period is suing for compensation. Airborne Freight Corporation, trading as Airborne Express, has issued a writ claiming damages from its express services manager Tony Foster. The company is also suing Susanne Foster, Anthony Guilfoyle, and Foyles Air Express (UK). All defendants face allegations of deceit, conspiracy to defraud, unlawful interference with the plaintiff's business, and claims for damages and restitution.

Writ issued by Goldkorn Davies Mathias, London WC1, agents for Charsley Harrison, Datchet, Slough.