ISG\u2019s administrators have settled an \u00a38m claim out of court against an architecture firm over delays to a project completed in 2022.<\/p>\n
W Griffiths Architects was accused of failing to properly carry out its obligations as an architectural consultant on the Watford High Street build.<\/p>\n
The project, for housing association Home Group, involved the construction of two apartment blocks consisting of 56 flats above a ground-floor retail unit, and was built with a timber frame.<\/p>\n
Overall, work was delayed by three-and-a-half years, with ISG alleging that just over two years of the delay was caused by W Griffiths breaching its subconsultancy agreement and\/or negligence, mostly in relation to fire-safety issues.<\/p>\n
ISG lodged the case at the Technology and Construction Court in London in 2022<\/p>\n
Following the contractor\u2019s collapse in September 2024, the case has been continued by its administrators at EY<\/p>\n
Now, a Tomlin order \u2013 under which a court action is paused to allow parties to settle complex disputes \u2013 has been made.<\/p>\n
Details of the settlement are not known and are private between the parties.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll further proceedings in this action shall be stayed on the terms set out in the confidential settlement agreement between those parties dated 25 February 2026,\u201d Mr Justice Constable said.<\/p>\n
The judge did not award any costs.<\/p>\n
EY declined to comment. W Griffiths has not responded to a request for comment.<\/p>\n
Papers previously filed with the court said work on the project had started in 2014 but ran into significant issues in 2018 and 2019 after concerns were identified over work carried out by subcontractor Grays Dry Lining.<\/p>\n
A remediation plan was put in place, but the subcontractor went into administration in 2021<\/a> before it could do the work.<\/p>\n