Bovis Lend Lease denies £10m dispute

by Kathy Watson



Bovis Lend Lease is rumoured to be involved in a £10m dispute over the fit-out of prestige offices in Spitalfields for leading Dutch bank ABN-Amro. Both project manager Allen Stewart and ABN-Amro are involved.

Although insiders claim there is a hell of a battle underway, Bovis denied that a dispute exists. According to a spokesman: "Discussions are taking place between us, the bank, and Allen Stewart but there is no dispute and no legal action is pending. We are moving towards final closure."

It is understood that the £45m offices were to be completed in 12 sections under a JCT contract with a strong partnering element. It is claimed project manager Allen Stewart issued a certificate of practical completion for one section before it was completed.

Bovis said it would have preferred that the area was handed over at a later time when the work was complete rather than having to return to the section.

Bovis denies there was a partnering deal in operation with Allen Stewart. Allen Stewart declined to comment.