Haulier sues DE over bankruptcy
Page 7
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• A former road haulier forced into bankruptcy in 1984 is suing the insolvency service of the Department of Trade and Industry for more than £1.2m in damages.
The action is the latest stage in a 10-year legal battle by Dennis Gardner. 67, to win back money seized as part of the bankruptcy proceedings.
His business, Gardners of Harworth in Nottinghamshire, collapsed in 1984 over a Customs and Excise debt of £7,500, which Gardner claims he had paid. He had worked in the transport industry for 40 years.
Gardner learned the law from books and represents himself in court. He started legal action against Customs and Excise as soon as he was discharged from bankruptcy in 1989, and this case is still continuing.
He alleges in a High Court writ issued at the end of July that the DTi official receiver mishandled the bankruptcy proceedings from the start, and sold his assets when he should have protected them.
Gardner is claiming damages including £735,000 for loss of earnings, £200,000 for assets lost and £157,000 for loss of his contract of employment.
The DTi was unable to comment.