Nevile Ayling

A Central London County Court judge dismissed tailor and wine collector Tom Reimer’s £550,000 claim against International Food Services Equipment Ltd over mould-damaged wine bottles. The judge found that inadequate ventilation caused by boxing in the refrigeration units, or Reimer repeatedly switching them off after neighbours complained about noise and vibration, was more likely responsible than a claimed gap between the doors. Reimer was ordered to pay £110,000 in legal costs.

The High Court dismissed most of Richard Phillips’ claims against former Greenwich Yacht Club captain Stefan Oloffs, ruling that Oloffs’ campaign over Phillips’ mooring fees did not meet the legal threshold for harassment. Oloffs had raised allegations through WhatsApp, a complaint to the Port of London Authority and a “Barge Gate” website after Phillips moored his 80-foot barge, Verandering, at the club. Although the club had found no financial impropriety by Phillips, the judge concluded that Oloffs’ conduct amounted at most to irritation and upset in the context of robust internal debate. Claims for harassment, breach of confidence, misuse of private information and a social-media data breach were dismissed, while a separate claim concerning private data published on the website remains unresolved.

Builder and amateur pilot Trevor Davis is suing the Light Aircraft Association for up to £2 million after his rebuilt Pitts Special biplane crashed at Popham airfield in Hampshire in March 2022. Davis claims a loose or missing nut caused the elevator control to fail, leaving him unable to steer and causing the aircraft to nose-dive. The LAA denies that the nut was missing during its inspection and argues that Davis’s piloting and choice of landing approach contributed to the crash. Davis suffered brain damage, a fractured skull and other injuries, and says he has been unable to continue working as a builder. The case has had a preliminary High Court hearing and may proceed to trial unless settled.

Two half‑sisters, Lindsay and Judith Bisiker, are battling in the High Court over ownership of Moonhills, a £2.7m New Forest property purchased by their father, Jim Bisiker, in 1984. Lindsay argues the house was intended to be held on trust for the entire family and says Judith wrongfully evicted her and is breaching that trust by attempting to sell it. Judith maintains she is the sole legal and beneficial owner and that the property was placed in her name for inheritance‑tax reasons. Both sides cite conflicting interpretations of Jim Bisiker’s intentions, with Judith’s legal team questioning his recent mental capacity. Other family members have been drawn into the case, which remains ongoing.

A long‑running dispute at Greenwich Yacht Club has escalated into a High Court battle, with former cruiser captain Stefan Oloffs accused of harassing former commodore Richard Phillips over claims of preferential treatment related to mooring fees for Phillips’ large Dutch barge. Despite an internal investigation clearing Phillips of wrongdoing, he alleges that Oloffs pursued a public campaign against him through messages, complaints and a website, causing distress and reputational damage. Oloffs is seeking to have the harassment claim dismissed as disproportionate and driven by personal motives. The court has reserved its decision on whether the case will proceed.