The House of Lords has confirmed a Court of Appeal decision to refuse to transfer a Stockport site owned by development company Morbaine to a rival developer.
In 1997, Satnam Investments won a High Court ruling that Morbaine should transfer land to it following alleged breaches of confidentiality by Manchester-based surveyor Dunlop, Heywood & Widness.
However, in December 1998 the Court of Appeal overturned that decision and dismissed the claim. Now Lords Hoffmann, Hutton and Hobhouse have upheld the ruling and refused Satnam leave to appeal.
However, the lords have given permission for a retrial of Satnam’s earlier action against the surveyor. Satnam alleges that Dunlop was in breach of its fiduciary duty by passing on confidential information.
See: Satnam Investments Ltd v Dunlop Heywood & Co Ltd
PLS News 9/8/99
