A property developer today took a legal fight with two of the UK’s best-known businessmen over control of a £1 billion company which owns three of London’s most famous hotels to the Court of Appeal.
Patrick McKillen, who comes from Belfast but is based in Dublin, last year lost the opening round of his court battle with twins Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay.
A High Court judge ruled against Mr McKillen in August following a trial in London. Mr Justice David Richards also said he should pay all sides’ legal costs, which lawyers said would add up to about £20 million.
Mr McKillen’s lawyers today asked three appeal judges to overturn parts of Mr Justice David Richards’s ruling.
They argued that Mr Justice David Richards was wrong when reaching decisions relating to agreements and arrangements made.
Lawyers representing the Barclay brothers resisted Mr McKillen’s challenge.
Lady Justice Arden, Lord Justice Moore-Bick and Lord Justice Rimer are analysing arguments from both sides at a hearing in London expected to end later this week.
Judges have heard that Mr McKillen and the Barclay brothers were investors in Coroin - the company which owns and manages Claridge’s, the Connaught and the Berkeley hotels.
Mr Justice David Richards dismissed Mr McKillen’s claims that company affairs were conducted in a “manner unfairly prejudicial to his interests”.
The Barclay brothers disputed the claims and said Mr McKillen’s allegations were designed to tarnish their reputations and embarrass them.
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