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High bar to waiving ‘subject to contract’: TCC (England and Wales) rejects binding settlement in Baltimore Wharf v Ballymore; ‘it’s agreed’ email insufficient

Published on: 19 February 2026

Published by a LexisNexis Construction expert
Legal News
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Article summary

What was the background?

Baltimore Wharf SLP (Baltimore/the claimant) commenced proceedings against Ballymore Properties Ltd (Ballymore/the defendant) and WSP UK Ltd (the Part 20 defendant) following the collapse of a nursery roof at Baltimore Wharf, London, on 15 July 2023. The claims, advanced both under a collateral warranty dated 7 January 2013 and in tort, contend that the roof failed because the connection between the nursery roof steel beams and the RC frame gave way, with losses put at in excess of £2 million. Proceedings were issued on 31 May 2024; the defendant served its defence on 17 July 2024 and, the same day, issued a Part 20 claim against WSP. After the action began, the TCC sealed a Consent Order on 1 August 2024 staying the claim until 1 October 2024 to facilitate settlement discussions. Negotiations then moved forward, with settlement proposals made by both WSP and Ballymore. On 29 August 2024, Ballymore’s solicitors circulated a draft settlement agreement to Baltimore under which Ballymore would pay £300,000 and WSP would contribute £100,000 to Baltimore...

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Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

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I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...

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