Property agent launches counter-claim against JD Wetherspoon

Van de Berg, the property adviser being sued for alleged breach of contract by JD Wetherspoon, has launched a counter-claim against the pub operator.

Christian Braun, founder and director of Pinner-based Van de Berg, has accused Wetherspoon of breaching section 151 of the Companies Act by forcing it to use its 8% monthly retainer to buy £700,000-worth of Wetherspoon’s shares.

In response Wetherspoon’s said in a statement: “Our legal advice is that there is no merit whatsoever in the defendant’s allegations in this area.”

Wetherspoon added that the issue had not been raised before the pub group launched its legal action.

Wetherspoon dismissed Van de Berg as its retained estate agents just over a year ago when it discovered that the company and some of its directors and associate firms had been finding sites for its rivals.

The pub operator has also accused Van de Berg of offering it properties as leaseholds, which could have been bought as freeholds.

The case is due to be heard in the High Court from 4 December.

By Angela Frewin

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