The firm, which made the original claim against the ex-partners last year, filed its reply last week (4 April), after many of the ex-partners requested answers from
The firm is fighting a group of 10 former partners as settlement negotiations between Hammonds and former partner Philip Rees have broken down, with Rees filing a defence. The claim against Rees is for approximately £145,000.
Former partners Gerrard O’Neil and Dermot Preston are still in negotiations with the firm but it is thought that a settlement agreement has not yet been reached.
The 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. However, the ex-partners argue they were not bound by the partnership account and that it only applies to existing partners. They also allege the
Seven of the partners are being represented by Addleshaw Goddard litigation partner Pietro Marino and Blackstone Chambers’ Charles Flint QC.
