3173 Bidco Limited & Anor v Christopher James Roberts & Anor

Facts

The Claimants, 3173 Bidco Limited and Dalriada Trustees Limited, provide professional trustee services to pension schemes. The First Defendant, Mr Christopher James Roberts, had been employed in that business under a service agreement dated May 2023; his employment ended under a settlement agreement on 31 December 2024, under which he became entitled to certain sums. In early 2025 he and his wife incorporated the Second Defendant, CJR Pensions Limited, as a vehicle for providing services to the pensions industry. The Claimants alleged that he had breached covenants in the service agreement through his work for the Second Defendant, that the Second Defendant had procured those breaches, and sought damages, injunctive and declaratory relief together with restitution of sums paid under the settlement agreement; the First Defendant counterclaimed for sums said to be due under that agreement. At the case management conference on 27 November 2025 His Honour Judge Halliwell transferred the case to the Shorter Trials Scheme, allocated himself as designated judge and directed Early Neutral Evaluation. Henshaw J, the Judge in Charge, approved that order and nominated HHJ Pearce, who gave directions on 14 January 2026. The ENE took place on 21 April 2026, before exchange of witness statements, and was adjourned part heard after the Defendants advanced an unpleaded case. The Claimants declined to resume it and sought the costs of the abortive ENE.