Re: Coventry council taken to court for Ricoh Arena loan
Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2014 3:05 pm
Judge refuses Sisu appeal - and orders Sky Blues owners' to pay Coventry council's costs
The judge in charge of the High Court battle between Coventry City Council and the owners of the Sky Blues has rejected a request for permission to appeal against his judgment.
Mr Justice Hickinbottom has turned down a request from Sisu to appeal against his ruling after a three-day judicial review in June.
He has also ordered club owners Sisu to pay the council at least £250,000 in costs - with £100,000 due within a week and a further £150,000 due within 14 days.
The council claims it has spent in excess of £580,000 in legal costs but Sisu disputes the figures, meaning the remaining £330,000 will be scrutinised before a final figure is paid. Ricoh Arena operators ACL will have to meet their own costs.
On dismissing the application to appeal, the judge said: “The claimants contend that I made 'numerous and serious errors of fact'.
“A judge does not err simply because he does not draw factual conclusions which one party urges upon him...
“I did not accept the picture which the claimants sought to paint. I set out my factual conclusions, and the evidence upon which they were based...
“I do not accept that I was not entitled to make the factual findings I did make... and I do not consider there is a realistic possibility that the claimants would persuade the Court of Appeal that I was not entitled to make any of the material findings I did make.”
He also said he rejected the appeal as it was in “everyone’s interests” not to prolong matters.
You can view and download the High Court order and the appeal verdict below.
High Court Order.pdf