The conference between Hammonds and 14 ex-partners to schedule a trial for the £3m profits dispute was scheduled for 30 November but is now due in late January/early February.
It is understood the rescheduling was mutually agreed and took place because more preparation time is needed on the case. There are no current indications that either side is willing to settle.
The two-year dispute centres on an alleged breach of partnership agreement, with the ex-partners refusing to pay back anticipated profits over a two-year period to April 2005.
The largest individual claim is against former construction chief David Jones for £379,000, with the firm lodging additional demands of more than £200,000 against a further seven former partners.
The group includes construction duo Simon Palmer and Mark Hilton, as well as projects partner Nigel Proctor, who all quit
Addleshaw Goddard litigation partner Pietro Marino is representing nine of the ex-partners, with Blackstone Chambers’ Charles Flint QC instructed as counsel.
Chester-based Aaron & Partners is representing Jones with Wilberforce Chambers’ Ian
The ex-partners are expected to lodge their defence to the case at the beginning of next year prior to the case management conference. Nine of those are set to counter-sue.
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