Michael Flatley set for victory in legal battle over 'Lord of the Dance'
Michael Flatley appears set for ultimate victory in his legal battle to regain control of the Lord of the Dance show, it was claimed today.
The star obtained an order to have the daughter of his former financial adviser removed from her role in an entertainment company at the centre of the dispute.
A judge at the High Court in Belfast granted an application to replace Alexandra Walshe as trustee holding his shares in Switzer Consulting Ltd - the firm who have been suing him.
Those shares are expected to be transferred to Mr Flatley, providing a route to intellectual property rights in the stage show he created.
The development could bring an end to a wider litigation over running Lord of the Dance.
A source close to the case claimed: “Michael always maintained that he owned the show and he has been vindicated. He now effectively owns the company which alleged it owned the intellectual property.”
Proceedings centred on a 2024 service agreement between the 67-year-old choreographer and Switzer.
The Northern Ireland-based firm mounted legal action amid disputed allegations about Mr Flatley’s financial affairs which it said had put a 30th anniversary tour in jeopardy.
In a counter move, he terminated the service agreement, claiming to own the company and rights to Lord of the Dance.
Earlier this year an interim ban on Mr Flatley being involved in forthcoming shows was lifted.
He returned to court earlier this week to obtain an emergency injunction amid allegations Switzer breached an undertaking not to interfere with the tour.
Mr Flatley also advanced an application to secure the removal of Ms Walshe, whose father Des Walshe previously acted as his financial adviser Des Walshe, from her position in the company.
His legal team argued that he has a 100% right to the shares she held in trust.
In court yesterday, David Dunlop KC, instructed by McIldowies Solicitors, insisted it was not appropriate for her to remain as trustee.
He cited a failure to reply to legal correspondence and a potential conflict of interests based on her father’s former association with the dancer.
Lawyers on both sides had previously agreed that the application to have Ms Walshe replaced could “unlock” the wider litigation.
Belfast-based chartered accountant Paul McCann attended Friday’s hearing and confirmed his agreement to step in as trustee.
Counsel for Ms Walshe, Plunkett Nugent, did not oppose his proposed appointment.
The court also heard she was “delighted” that a (US dollars) $3m bill owed to a company which owns rights to music in the show has now been settled.
Consenting to Mr Flatley’s bid to have her removed, Mr Justice Huddleston confirmed: “As it no longer seems to be a contested application I am happy to grant the relief sought.”