Hammonds is suing its former construction chief for £379,000 as part of its £3m High Court claim against 14 ex-partners, it has emerged, as the long-running profits dispute nears its day in court.
According to court documents made public this month, former Hammonds Hong Kong and London construction partner David Jones has been hit with the demand, the highest individual claim cited.
The documents show Hammonds has also lodged separate individual claims of more than £200,000 against a further seven former partners. The national law firm is also thought to be seeking up to 8% interest on the total sum, which relates to profits distributed to the former partners over a two-year period that Hammonds alleges was overpaid.
The £379,000 claim is the highest figure that has yet been cited against a single partner, though it was previously believed that Hammonds was attempting to recover more than £100,000 in overpaid drawings from a number of former partners.
Early indications suggest a hearing could take place in the High Court as soon as the next session, which begins on 1 October.
The move comes after settlement talks between the two sides broke down with Hammonds last month confirming it would take the matter to court.
The acrimonious two-year dispute centres around an alleged breach of partnership agreement with the ex-partners refusing to pay back anticipated profits over a two-year period to April 2005.
Later that year senior management sent out letters to ex-partners who had left within the last 12 months asking them to repay over-drawings that had already been dished out to them following an official audit.
Nine of the 14 former partners have now taken steps to counter-sue the top 20 UK law firm, demanding audit letters and board minutes.
The group includes construction duo Simon Palmer and Mark Hilton as well as projects partner Nigel Proctor, who all quit Hamnonds for Addleshaw Goddard in 2005. Addleshaws is now representing the group.
Hammonds managing partner Peter Crossley said it would be “inappropriate” to comment on any ongoing developments.
The latest news sets the stage for a rare courtroom showdown between a commercial firm and its former partners.
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