Estate agent Bairstow Eves (London North) Ltd is suing its former office manager, Duncan Perry, for breach of a restrictive covenant, following his employment in a rival company situated just 40 yards away.
The claimant employed Perry for 13 years, as a negotiator, a senior negotiator, and an office manager. Prior to his resignation in February, Perry allegedly informed Bairstow Eves that he planned to work for estate agent Century 21, but maintained that he would work on foreign sales and lettings in the company’s Spanish department. Although his new job was within a three-mile exclusion zone, he claimed that his area of work would have no effect upon his old employer.
However, Bairstow Eves contends that Perry has carried out a market appraisal for the domestic residential sales department in breach of his contract. It believes that he has also tried to secure instructions on a property placed for sale with Bairstow Eves, and has subsequently become involved in negotiations over a fee dispute using confidential information obtained from Bairstow Eves.
The company is seeking an injunction and damages of not more than £100,000.
References: PLS News 22/5/03
