Prince Jefri Bolkiah, brother of the world’s richest man, the Sultan of Brunei, is being sued for more than £88,000 by architect Philip Dinkel and a company called Prodawn. Dinkel and the company, which are both based in Cirencester, claim that the prince has failed to pay for architectural services carried out on a sports project to be built at Jerudong Park in Brunei.
In their High Court claim they say that the prince retained them in March 1995 to prepare designs, drawings, specifications, and to provide general advice on proposed sports facilities at the park.
Dinkel, who is a member of RIBA, says that he was instructed by Mr Aman Khan in March 1995, and flew to Brunei that month to discuss the project with Jerudong Park’s general manager Mr Singh, and Prince Hakeen, Prince Jefri’s son.
He says that when he returned to London, Dinkel and Khan set up Prodawn, which was to be billed by Dinkel for his time spent on the project, and the company was to invoice the prince for architectural services provided.
The claim says that drawings for the project were prepared, there was liaison with other professional advisors, work was carried out and invoices were sent to the general manager of Jerudong Park.
Two invoices, dated September and November 1995, were paid by cheques drawn on the bank accounts of Goldcrest International Incorp, but Dinkel and Prodawn claim they were told on 13 April 1996 that the prince no longer wanted to go ahead with the project.
A further bill for £88,556.49 for the remainder of the work that had been carried out was sent but it is alleged that, in breach of contract, this has not been paid.
PLS News 11/12/00
