The High Court has dismissed a multimillion-pound professional negligence dispute against Mishcon de Reya brought by former client and football chairman Antonio Caliendo.
Former Queens Park Rangers (QPR) chairman Caliendo claimed Mishcon made errors when drafting the terms of a contract over the £5.5m sale of QPR shared to Formula One Boss Bernie Ecclestone and Italian businessman Flavio Briatore in 2007.
The case finally hit the court in December following a three-year lead up and tussles over missed deadlines.
Caliendo instructed DLA Piper partner Mark Goodwin, who turned to Wilberforce’s Alan Gourgey QC and 4 New Square’s Katie Powell.
Mishcon turned to Triton Global director Michael Robin, instructing Wilberforce’s Ian Croxford QC, Clare Stanley QC and Jonathan Chew.
Mr Justice Arnold said: “I conclude that the claimants’ expenditure on the defence of the QPRH Proceedings was not caused by any breach of duty on the part of Mishcon de Reya. I conclude that the breaches of duty complained of did not in any event cause the claimants any loss.”
Mishcon’s lawyers claimed Caliendo was not a truthful witness and brought 24 examples of what was said to be false evidence before the court.
Caliendo argued Mishcon failed to incorporate a term in the deal which would have given him a large bonus if QPR made it into the premier division (which subsequently happened), and that it failed to make provision for the repayment of debts by QPR to Brazilian football team manager Carlos Dunga.
The legal line-up
For the claimant, Antonio Caliendo and Barnaby Holdings
Wilberforce Chambers’ Alan Gourgey QC and 4 New Square’s Katie Powell, instructed by DLA Piper partner Mark Goodwin
For the defendant, Mishcon de Reya
Wilberforce Chambers’ Ian Croxford QC, Clare Stanley QC and Jonathan Chew, instructed by Triton Global director Michael Robin