Michael Flatley proposes mediation in bid to end multi-million pound legal battle over Lord of the Dance show
Michael Flatley has proposed mediation in a bid to finally end multi-million pound legal battles over his Lord of the Dance show, the High Court in Belfast heard today.
The potential resolution process was suggested as a judge expressed further frustration at the handling of the star’s ongoing dispute with Guernsey businessman Bruce MacInnes.
Mr Justice Huddleston said: “This batting forward of allegations, one against the other, is no way to conduct litigation.”
Mr Flatley has been locked in courtroom actions for months over the lucrative Lord of the Dance production.
Earlier this year he appeared to have regained full control of an events company which previously ran the show, Switzer Consulting Ltd.
An order was made to reflect the Monaco-based choreographer’s status as holding 100 shares in the firm.
But Mr MacInnes, a director and former chairman in Switzer, claims he had been assigned a 10 per cent shareholding.
Mr Flatley is attempting to have that transaction declared invalid, alleging it was wrongly facilitated by a previous trustee after she had been removed.
With Lord of the Dance on tour this year to celebrate its 30th anniversary, Mr MacInnes has brought separate proceedings over claims he retains shares worth millions of pounds.
The investor is also seeking an injunction to safeguard Switzer assets and prevent any income from the show being paid into separate accounts.
His application was adjourned following undertakings to maintain the existing banking arrangements while Mr Flatley’s representatives seek to set up new facilities.
The dancer’s lawyers insisted there would be full transparency in the ongoing process.
Michael Chamber KC, instructed by McIldowies Solicitors, also disclosed: “We are proposing mediation to resolve the whole case.”
Counsel for Mr MacInnes, Mark Orr KC, expressed no views on the proposal during the brief hearing.
He confirmed, however, that his client will still be pursuing an injunction at a later stage.
Adjourning proceedings until next month, Mr Justice Huddleston repeated calls for an end to what he described as “tit for tat allegations helping no-one”.
The judge added: “Any form of direction or clarity in this case is to be welcomed.”