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p>A TV star has lost a High Court battle in regards to a London property.
Celebrity Chef and TV Presenter, Gordon Ramsay challenged his liability for rent on a London pub which was purchased while his then father-in-law, Christopher Hutcheson, acted as a Director for his company, Gordon Ramsay Holdings International.
The chef claimed that as he had not physically signed any lease he was not bound to paying rent for the premises which is being currently used as a restaurant and small hotel on the corner of Regent’s Park.
On 18 February 2008, the lease was granted to Gordon Ramsay Holdings International in regards to a property located at 127 and 129 Parkway London NW1. The freehold owner is Northam Worldwide Ltd.
The 25 year term lease had an initial annual rent of £640,000 - to be reviewed every five years. The agreement was signed by Mr Ramsey by using the machine under the direction of Mr Hutcheson.
Mr Ramsey maintained, that his signature was placed on the document via a signature writing machine operated by Mr Hutcheson and that Mr Hutcheson did not have the authority to do so.
He gave evidence that he was not aware of the use of such machine on legal documents.
However after considering the case before him, Mr Justice Morgan dismissed the claims made by the Kitchen Nightmares presenter. He determined that: “Mr Ramsay knew, long before the entry into the agreement for lease and the lease of the premises, that the machine was routinely used to place his signature on legal documents. Also, all sides agreed that this signature was as legitimate as Gordon Ramsay signing the document with a pen by hand.
“I do not accept his evidence to the contrary.”
A TV star has lost a High Court battle in regards to a London property… .
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