Client hits Stoys with #350,000 writ

BDO Stoy Hayward is facing a demand for up to #350,000 in damages after being accused of negligence in the accounting advice it provided to an investment management company.

In a writ served last month, Lazari Investments accused the firm of ?breaches of oral or written contract or contracts? between 1984 and 1997. Lazari said Stoys breached its duty of care to the company and was negligent in providing accountancy services.

The claim centres on tax advice, although sources said it was due to a long-running dispute over fees. Lazari claimed ?excessive payments? made to the Inland Revenue were due to Stoys? negligence – payments which the firm had failed, promptly, or at all, to recover.

Stoys said it was ?robustly contesting the writ?.

* In a separate writ, 20 for-mer partners of Casson Beckman, now part of Baker Tilly, face a demand for loss and damages of at least #42,500.

Motor Crown Petroleum claims the partners ?negligently? advised on a scheme to limit the company?s tax liability in 1994 and 1995.

A Baker Tilly spokeswoman said Casson Beckman did not admit any liability.