Leeds United: Winding-up petition dismissed on agreed terms

LEEDS UNITED have released a brief statement saying that a winding-up petition from solicitors Ford & Warren has been dismissed on agreed terms.
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The development comes five days after Ford & Warren launched proceedings in the High Court over unpaid costs relating to a case involving ex-Leeds chairman Ken Bates and one-time United director Melvyn Levi.

According to the statement, Mr Levi and Leeds United Football Club Limited are ‘working towards resolving their remaining differences’.

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It is revealed last week that Ford & Warren were claiming fees in the region of £150,000 and the case was due to be heard on January 13.

The claim involved a case in which Levi and one of his business partners, Robert Weston, were accused by Bates of dishonest dealings.

That allegation was struck out in court, leading Ford and Warren to seek costs from United.

Bates sold Leeds to Gulf Finance House in 2012 and control of the club passed to Massimo Cellino when he bought a 75 per cent stake from GFH in April.

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Speaking last week, Nick Collins, a senior partner at Ford and Warren, told the BBC: “This is not a dispute with Mr Cellino. This is something he has inherited from the previous ownership of the club.

“We bear no ill will towards Mr Cellino and we wish him well. I genuinely hope we can resolve this amicably but we must do what is necessary to protect our clients’ position.”

The legal action drew an angry response from United who said they wanted the petition withdrawn and an apology made, otherwise they would go to court to get it dismissed.

In a statement issued late week, the club said: “The club has today (Friday November 7) received a winding-up petition from solicitors’ firm Ford & Warren acting on behalf of their client Mr. Melvyn Levi.

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“We have been advised by legal counsel that the publication of the winding-up order to the media within seven days of its service is illegal and amounts to an abuse of process and a contempt of court.

“This activity was designed for the sole purpose of putting undue pressure on the football club.

“Our lawyers are demanding that the petition be immediately withdrawn, and a full apology made else we will ask the court to dismiss the petition on Monday morning.”

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