McAlpine court case ran up up £1.3m bill

The High Court battle to retain the right to drop its first name will create a £1.3m dent in Alfred McAlpine's profit in the first half.

At the group's AGm today, chairman Oliver Whitehead said: "In October 2003, the group launched a new corporate brand, reflecting the transformation we have made to a services business. This was, however, subsequently and unexpectedly challenged by Sir Robert McAlpine. This dispute has now been concluded and the required adjustments are being made, the total legal and implementation costs will be £1.3m, which will be charged to the group profit and loss account in the first half."

Apart from this, Whitehead was able to give an upbeat report on the year so far, with Business Services and Capital Projects pulling in new orders worth £230m and £260m respectively.

The Infrastructure Services division experienced lower than expected margins in the first quarter, but Whitehead said: "As in 2003, however, we do anticipate a recovery in the remainder of the year."