Debenham Tewson and Chinnocks v Rimington and another

Debenham Tewson and Chinnocks v Rimington and another - 1989 - Estates Gazette (1989) 44 EG 90-98(4) .

QBD 18 July 1989 Claim by DTC for commission or other renumeration in respect of sale of development land . In 1985 the trustees (T) of the Portsmouth Estates decided to sell off land to a property company . Bids were put in by other property companies and T sought the advice of DTC as to the proper price and the property company was advised by another firm: the two professional firms had a meeting in 1986. The other bids caused the property company to raise the ultimate purchase price. DTC claimed that their attendance of the vital meeting between the two professional firms and in receiving and passing on the third parties` bids were within work covered by the 1.5% commission proposed some years ago and such work was the effective cause of the contract with the property company. Alternatively they claimed a percentage of the purchase price, or a substantial fee, on a quantum meruit basis.


EFFECTIVE CAUSE
ESTATE AGENTS' COMMISSION
DEBENHAM TEWSON AND CHINNOCKS V RIMINGTON AND ANOTHER