Lancaster & Anor v Handle Artists Management Ltd & Ors

Lancaster & Anor v Handle Artists Management Ltd & Ors

The Deed of Release and Indemnity used clear and wide language intended to effect a clean break, barring all claims by Mr Lancaster relating to his participation in Status Quo, including claims to Pye royalties, regardless of whether the parties specifically contemplated those royalties at the time.

Parties
Appellant: Lancaster & Another; Respondent: Handle Artists Management Ltd & Others
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
22 April 2008
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Appeal From Judgment of HHJ Hazel Marshall QC
Outcome
Appeal allowed
Legal Topics
Interpretation of Deeds, Release and Indemnity, Royalties, Clean Break Settlements
Contract Law Interpretation of Deeds Release and Indemnity Royalties Clean Break Settlements

Case Brief

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Parties

Lancaster & Another

Appellant

Handle Artists Management Ltd & Others

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Appeal From Judgment of HHJ Hazel Marshall QC

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the Deed of Release and Indemnity executed on 12 January 1987 barred Mr Lancaster's claim to Pye royalties
  2. 2 Proper construction of the Deed of Release and Indemnity in light of the factual matrix

Ratio Decidendi

The Deed of Release and Indemnity used clear and wide language intended to effect a clean break, barring all claims by Mr Lancaster relating to his participation in Status Quo, including claims to Pye royalties, regardless of whether the parties specifically contemplated those royalties at the time.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed

Orders

  • Mr Lancaster's claim to Pye royalties is barred by the Deed of Release and Indemnity.
  • Judgment below set aside to the extent appealed.