A row between the Lightship restaurant and Christian and Kirsten Sandefeldt is heading for London’s High Court.

Lightship accuses the Sandefeldts of breaching a covenant when selling shares in the Aquarium restaurant to it for £505,000 in November 2003.

A writ issued at London's High Court and just made publicly available says they had allowed VAT payments to fall into arrears and in January 2005, Lightship received a demand for VAT arrears of £14,747.23.

The writ says that completion accounts for sale of the business had showed a VAT liability of £35,158.45 when in fact there were arrears of £14,747.23, the writ claims.

Lightship Restaurant, of St Katherine’s Dock, London, accuses the pair of breaching a tax covenant, and is suing them for damages as well as for £14,747.23 plus interest.

Christian and Kirsten Sandefeldt, of 9 Silverton Road, London W6, had agreed to pay any tax liability the company might have and to pay for any costs reasonably incurred in connection with it, the writ says.

In 2005 Christian Sandefeldt opened Deep at Imperial Wharf. The fish restaurant charged customers an extra £1 to put towards marine conservation.

Sandefeldt sells up to be nearer home >>

Sandefeldt moves to Imperial Wharf >>

The age of Aquarium >>

By court reporter

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