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Bay Festival organiser loses court case

Mon, 30 May 2011

The organiser of the Isle of Man Bay Festival has failed in a bid to sue the public servants involved in the winding up of his company.

Jonathon Irving wanted to claim £3.5 million pounds in damages after Street Heritage Limited was wound up in the High Court last year.

The company owed £180,000 in unpaid taxes but Mr Irving wanted to avoid a winding up order and said he planned to pay the money by selling property and a getting loan.

He wanted an adjournment whilst this was sorted out but because of a mix up, his advocate didn't turn up to court when the case was heard and the company was wound up in his absence.

His lawyer arrived as the other parties were leaving but didn't ask for the Deemster to sit again.

Mr Irving claims the government advocate acted unlawfully by knowing a deferment would be sought but not mentioning it to the Deemster.

The damages he wanted to claim were for financial loss and included £40,000 each for him and his son for distress, anxiety and trauma.

He also wanted a prominent public apology to be broadcast on all local radio stations and in the newspapers.

The case was thrown out of court.

The reasons given were that Mr Irving was late making his doleance claim and his case against the government lawyer and tax officials would have had no real prospect of succeeding.

 

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