Joseph Barrett, of 11KBW, acted for the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
(“the Authority”) in successfully defending
a substantial claim under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 brought by the
incumbent provider (Lee Valley Leisure Trust) (“the Claimant”) challenging the award of a new long-term contract
for the management and operation of the Authority’s portfolio of leisure
facilities situated in and around the Olympic Park, London. The Claimant also
advanced various contractual claims regarding sums said to be owed to it by the
Authority pursuant to the existing services contract between the parties
relating to the facilities.
Following the issuing of proceedings the Authority elected (somewhat
unusually in a dispute of this sort) not to apply to lift the automatic
suspension on contract-making. Instead, the Authority applied for the claim to
be determined at an expedited trial. A trial of liability was ordered to be
heard in October 2020.
The claimant has now discontinued the proceedings, enabling the
Authority to proceed with the implementation of the new contract, and the
various improvements to the facilities and services that the contract is
intended to deliver.
Coverage of the litigation can be seen here
Joseph Barrett of 11KBW was sole counsel for the Authority
throughout the litigation, instructed by Womble Bond Dickinson. The Claimant
was represented by Parishil Patel KC of 39ES, instructed by Trowers and Hamlins.
