The House of Lords has adjourned an application to join contractor Taylor Woodrow as a third party to a £4.3m dispute over a development at London’s Royal Brompton Hospital in Chelsea.
Leading architect Watkins Gray International (UK) and two of its partners, Ivor Berresford and Keith Pegden, have applied for leave to challenge earlier High Court and Appeal Court refusal to bring Taylor Woodrow into the action. The application has been adjourned to give Taylor Woodrow an opportunity to object to the moves.
The dispute follows a previous claim by Taylor Woodrow against the hospital, which was settled when Brompton paid Taylor Woodrow £6.2m.
Brompton subsequently brought proceedings against Watkins Gray, alleging that the architect acted negligently in granting certificates to contractors, and that this paved the way for the contractors to claim £2.3m for loss and expenses. Brompton is seeking to recover the £2.3m and a further £2m damages in respect of delays.
Watkins Gray seeks to join Taylor Woodrow as a third party on the basis that it should be made to contribute to any award ultimately made against the architect.
PLS News 19/2/01
