Prosperity Law, which has offices in Leeds as well as Manchester, Liverpool, and London, has successfully secured a victory in a high-stakes land dispute on behalf of former professional footballer Craig Cathcart.
The case, led by Paul Magee, head of property litigation, centred on a six-figure claim against another law firm, which had previously represented Cathcart during a land purchase.
Cathcart gained prominence as a centre-back for Blackpool and Watford and earned 73 caps for Northern Ireland.
The dispute arose from allegations of negligence during the conveyancing process, in which the former law firm failed to identify that the plot of land Cathcart purchased was landlocked, rendering it unsuitable for development. This oversight came to light only after planning permission had been granted and architectural plans drawn up, leaving Cathcart with a plot that was inaccessible.
“The fact that such a critical detail was overlooked is deeply concerning,” commented Paul Magee. “A simple check, even using online mapping tools, would have revealed the lack of physical access to the plot. This was a fundamental error that had severe consequences for our client.”
Despite initial resistance from the insurers of the negligent law firm, who denied liability, a settlement of nearly £500,000 was eventually secured. This sum was agreed to cover both the damages suffered by Cathcart and the associated legal costs.
Reflecting on the outcome, Magee remarked, ” This case is a stark reminder of the importance of thorough due diligence in property transactions. Litigation, while daunting for some, is sometimes the only avenue to ensure justice is served. I’m immensely proud of the team’s efforts and the positive result for Craig.”
Cathcart expressed his gratitude to the Prosperity Law team, commenting, “Paul was recommended to me by a mutual acquaintance, and from our first meeting, he was confident in achieving a successful outcome. The team’s reliability and diligence throughout the process were exceptional.”
The sale of the contentious plot was later managed by Prosperity Law’s head of residential property, Warren Kaye.
Image: Prosperity Law
Josie Geistfeld
Josie Geistfeld is Editor of Yorkshire Legal News. She welcomes comments and questions.