Cleveland Bridge UK to appeal over Wembley dispute

Steel contractor Cleveland Bridge UK (CBUK) is planning to take its legal battle with Multiplex over the £757m Wembley Stadium to the Court of Appeal.

Lawyers for the company, which walked off the Wembley site in 2004, said they will now apply directly to the Appeal Court for leave to appeal after High Court judge Mr Justice Jackson today (Tuesday) refused them permission.

The judge also ordered CBUK to pay 80% of main contractor Multiplex's legal costs for the action so far. An interim payment of £700,000 against costs must be made by the company within 14 days.

The judge yesterday ruled there was no outright victor, having made a number of findings that he hoped would enable the parties to settle their multi-million pound dispute. Mr Justice Jackson directed the parties to attend a Case Management Conference within the next three weeks where he will give further directions concerning damages and other amounts to be paid by CBUK to Multiplex.

The case will return to court in January if no agreement can be reached.

Lawyers for Cleveland Bridge conceded in court that unless they are successful on appeal the judge's orders mean it is likely that the steelwork company will have to pay money to Multiplex.