✍ If the following case studies are of interest they may be downloaded and used on the understanding that MATA is given clear attribution.
Confidential information sheets accompany each case study. These are available on request (and a nominal contribution to charity).
Case studies with the note "In use" are currently being used on MATA training courses and so confidentials will not be made available until the case studies are released for general use.
It is MATA policy to add at least one new case each month (and review content), so it is worth checking on a regular basis. It is also worth contacting MATA if you need a case study in a particular sector and/or would like one to be written for you.
Case Study List
All case studies are within areas of interest. General headings will guide you to case studies in those areas. Please note: there will always be some overlap, as case studies can fall within more than one area.
Agricultural
Parlour Games
Dispute concerning Dairy farmers and the construction of a new state of the art milking parlour.
Download Parlour Games
Snappy Families
Siblings, who are equal shareholders in family run scrap and waste business and a dispute over profits made from involvement in clear-up of foot and mouth disease.
Download Snappy Families
Commercial
Chips with Everything
The Chip Butty Emporium (CBE) is a franchise operation, working on the basis that modern society wants chips with everything and chips with nothing else but chips! Matt & Sue Lawson entered into a franchise agreement with CBE. A dispute arises over the terms of the agreement and planning permission for premises.
Download Chips with Everything
Ever Ready
Ever Ready (ER) is a small, family run, maintenance company that specialises in quick-response jobs on large housing estates. It also carries out period maintenance contracts on property and external works. The dispute arises over their main competitor accusing them of fraudulent price fixing and a subsequent drop in work. ER have made a claim for losses and damage to reputation. An Arbitration is currently on hold, pending mediation.
Download Ever Ready
Jules et Gym
A boutique gym run by partners (emotional and professional relationship). Emotional relationship came to an end resulting in a dispute over payment for half the value of the gym.
Download Jules et Gym
Misplaced Passion
Mr Black and Mr White formed 'The Passion Place', a company specialising in the import and retail of exotic fruit and passion fruit in particular. Prior to forming the company, they had both worked for The General Fruit Trading Company (GEFTRA). After leaving, GEFTRA experienced a drop in business and long term suppliers and customers ceased trading with them. That business had gone to 'The Passion Place'. GEFTRA investigated and believe that Black and White solicited business on behalf of Passion Place whilst at GEFTRA.
Download Misplaced Passion
Consensus Building
Building Good Faith
Moslem group submit plans to convert redundant Christian Church into mosque. After receiving several comments of protest from the local community, the local council approach two mediators in order to be fair, open-minded and unprejudiced.
Download Building Good Faith
Construction
Diminishing Asset
Dispute over the purchase, storage and construction of a restored barn frame from a reclamation company.
Download Diminishing Asset
Green Belt Blues
Purchase and restoration of a barn, in a green belt area. Dispute over Planning Authority regulations and involvement of the architect with the build.
Download Green Belt Blues
Northern Sites
A hotel purchase and development. Dispute arising due to the building footprint boundary and public footpath conflicting with survey drawings.
Download Northern Sites
Foul Up
Water Company providing water and sewage in Midlands and North of England sells redundant treatment works as brown-field sites for housing development. In dispute with development company for £800,000 due to being given false information about sewer location and responsibility. (Also insurance).
Download Foul Up
Employment
Single Frogs
Charity of Community Peacemakers, working in the UK and abroad. Unease amongst the Directors, one of whom is headhunted. Accusations of disloyalty mean he is subsequently sent on leave. Whilst on leave the Director is replaced without being notified and then accused of sexual harassment.
Download Single Frogs
Brown v Healthcare Trust
Mrs Brown is school nurse for the Trust. She drove her car into the car park of the Health Centre and whilst unloading equipment slipped on the snow and ice. Mrs Brown claims damages for pain and suffering, loss of earnings and cost of domestic support at home needed due to ongoing disability caused by the accident. Trust say claim is ridiculous.
Download Brown v Healthcare Trust
Family
Lost the Plot
Pet memorial ground adjoining local cemetery. Fido is buried in the wrong plot, by the honest admittance of the District Council. They suggest mediation after a dispute arises over the exhumation and reburial of the beloved canine.
Download Lost the Plot
Insurance
Damage Limitation
Bodyworks (UK) Ltd is a network of vehicle repair shops. Mass Insurers Plc (MIP) covers the insurance market. MIP has a repair contract with Bodyworks. The dispute arises when MIP, as part of its fraud avoidance process, carry out a spontaneous audit on Bodyworks and the report gives MIP grounds for believing that Bodyworks have abused their relationship.
Download Damage limitation
International
Black Water Cruising
Dispute between a boat builder and owner over the capacity of waste water storage, hull shape and anchor. (Also Marine).
Download Black Water
Cementing Relationships
Construction Agents in Saudia Arabia used by Ace Conveyors Ltd. Dispute over the construction of two conveyor systems and their fitness for purpose. (Also commercial).
Download Cementing Relationships
International and Joint Venture
Friendlypharm
A joint venture is formed to sell medicines abroad that have been repackaged cheaply in this country. A shareholder agreement was signed. A dispute has arisen over the terms of the agreement.
Download FriendlyPharm
Landlord & Tenant
Haver v Goodtime
Commander Haver owns a house he is currently renting to Gloria Goodtime (he was a pilot and she a hostess for the same airline), under an Assured Short term Tenancy (from 2004). Ms Goodtime paid rent for the first 6 months, but the Commander has only recently demanded other arrears. The dispute arises as the Commander now demands vacant possession with back rent, interest and costs. Ms Goodtime counter-claims a declaration by the court for a life tenancy at a peppercorn rent pursuant to the Commander's promise in 2005. (Also Ethical).
Download Haver v Goodtime
Marine/Commercial
Ploughing the Seas
Cable laying company hired ship for a large project involving laying cables under the sea. Equipment had to be built onto ship specifically for this project on the understanding that the ship would be returned to its normal state afterwards. Company owed money and so ship was impounded with equipment still on board. Dispute over payment, equipment removal and arrangements concerning both.
Download Ploughing the Seas
Medical
Heartache
A couple belonged to a religious sect that had very strong views on dying and the afterlife. They believed that the body had to be buried complete for a peaceful transition into the afterlife. The man was sadly killed and subject to a post mortem where it was established that body parts had been removed for research.
Download Heartache
Media
The Rolling Rocks
Dispute between the members of a heavy metal band who have issues over whether royalties should be paid to an ex-member after two of the four members continue to move the band into the 90s and have a huge revival.
Download Rolling Rocks
Motor
In the Soup
Mass Production Cars (MPC) decided to 'soup up' their range of cars to provide a sports edition of their 3 main ranges. They entered into an agreement with a company (SPEL) who could develop prototype cars. The development stage was a disaster, resulting in the industry looking at MPC with derision. MPC were hugely embarrassed and determined that SPEL should pay for their humiliation.
Note: In Use
Download In the Soup
Personal Injury
Turf War
Australian Footballer, 'Bruce' recruited by English Premiership Club, 'Moneychester United', trips as he leaves the player's tunnel on his debut game. He breaks three ribs and has pains in his right leg. The press have a field day and accuse him of drinking. Bruce and the Chairman of the club face considerable embarrassment. Bruce claims PI; alleged racial taunts from team-mates and stress at work. (PI & Sports).
Download Turf War
Property
Gardening Leave
A landscaping company specialise in external areas of expensive homes. A couple engage the company to overhaul the gardens of their historic country house, including forming a lake with a jetty for boating. A dispute arises over completion of the works and with communications between project manager and the couple breaking down.
Download Gardening Leave
Land Grab
Lawrence owned a house and an adjoining plot and also ran a taxi business as his main source of income. He decided to take out a bank loan to better the cars in his fleet. He put the house and plot up as security. The Bank considered the plot to be worthless and took the house alone as security. Within two years the taxi business folded and the Bank put the security into auction. The Dewers bought the house and rented it out to tenants. When Lawrence then got planning permission to build on the plot, he discovered that it had been transferred to the Dewers at the time of the auction. Lawrence is suing the Dewers for return of his land; the Bank for damages and his solicitors for negligence.
Note: In Use
Download Land Grab
Sports
Fighting Chance
European Middleweight Boxing Champion in dispute with his manager over his contract and the treatment he receives compared to other boxers.
Download Fighting Chance
Jagged Ends
An advertising company negotiated a sponsorship deal with Hondai Sports Car for exclusive advertising at Brockside Stadium. A dispute arises over the exclusivity of the advertising and hence the sponsorship deal.
Download Jagged Ends
Love All
Cola-Zip is an energy drink made by Top Drinks (UK). They enter into a deal with National Youth Tennis Association to build courts in school grounds to promote future champions of the sport. Deal involved schools collecting cans for recycling with TD (UK) paying 10p per can to school and a flat sum to NYTA. Two years on and two rising tennis stars get cartledge degradation. Papers run story claiming that drink contains a chemical causing problem. NYTA say withdraw drink TD (UK) say no. NYTA terminate deal. TD (UK) sue. (Also sponsorship).
Download Love All
Upping the Antti
Antti Kempennen is a talented, if temperamental soccer player. Mandy Mason is a licensed soccer agent who arranged for Antti to be transferred from a Dutch club to an English Premiership side. Mandy has been paid the fee and it is still in the bank. A dispute arises over Antti's father claiming a share of the agency fee and no written contract to substantiate the claim either way.
Download Upping the Antti
Trusts
Taken on Trust
Family inheritance where sole beneficiary (daughter of deceased wealthy widow) has tendency for eccentric and obscure behaviours. Dispute over Trustees (including step-father) not releasing funds to beneficiary.
Download Taken on Trust