Law firm faces negligence claim
7 Jun 05
BP to sue Scottish and English advisers over 1990 Shetland incident
Maclay Murray & Spens is facing legal action from oil giant BP and a number of insurance companies, according to today's Herald.
It says that the law firm is co-defender along with international law firm Barlow Lyde & Gilbert in a case which concerns allegedly negligent handling of a shipping insurance claim.
The action follows an incident 15 years ago in Shetland, in which a ship was wrenched free from its moorings by high winds, causing damage to four loading arms at the BP-owned jetty - to which it was berthed.
It is claimed that BLG and Maclay failed to launch proceedings against against the owners and charterers of the vessel within the five year period before the claim became time barred.
Scottish law firm Shepherd+ Wedderburn is acting for the company but declined to disclose the amount which the claimants are seeking, although the Herald suggests it is in the region of £3 million.