Our story: Spring 2019 update on M1 Legal timeshare mis-selling claims and court victories

Welcome to our Spring newsletter

In this Spring edition, we share our latest news and case updates, including coverage of our legal associates, M1 Legal, in The Times.

Football stars linked to timeshare “mis-selling” allegations

On Thursday 21 February 2019, David Brown in The Times published an article referencing footballers Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville and their connection to a Maltese timeshare resort. The resort is reported to be under scrutiny over alleged timeshare mis-selling and related loan agreements arranged by unregulated introducers.

The article also mentions M1 Legal as the lawyers who initiated the investigation on behalf of many Azure clients they represent.

You can preview or read the full article (subscription may be required) via: https://m1legal.news/thetimes

Below is a copy of the page as printed in The Times.

The story has attracted significant interest. As previously commented by one of our lawyers, Adriana Stoyanova: “this could be the next financial scandal.”

M1 Legal going from strength to strength

Following the recent exposure in The Times, M1 Legal continue their work against timeshare resorts. Below are some of their recent outcomes.

2019 started strongly, with 11 victories during January and February totalling £157,328.

Current ongoing cases

• 543 cases in the courts
• 245 cases being prepared

Latest victories

• Anfi Group – £13,016 awarded
• Leisure Dimensions – £16,283 awarded
• Diamond Resorts – £17,597 awarded

Club La Costa – jurisdiction victory (Spain)

After an initial court decision that the case did not fall under Spanish jurisdiction, M1 Legal appealed and the decision was reversed by the Malaga Court of Appeal. The defence argued the case should not be heard in Spain on the basis that the contract fell under English law. The appeal judge ruled that Club La Costa (UK) PLC Sucursal en España is a Spanish entity and that the case should proceed in Spain. The case will now be re-submitted to the court of first instance.

Diamond Resorts – jurisdiction victory (Spain)

A similar case has been heard against Diamond Resorts, the contractual name being Diamond Resorts Europe Limited – Sucursal en España. Again, the appeal judge ruled that the claim is valid in Spain and can now be re-submitted through the Spanish courts.

Cala Pi – maintenance fees victory

M1 Legal’s clients held two contracts: Cala Pi Maintenance S.L. and Noarre S.L. The case began when Cala Pi pursued a claim against the client for unpaid maintenance fees totalling over €12,000.

M1 Legal intervened on the basis that the company pursuing the case was the maintenance fee company, Cala Pi Maintenance S.L. M1 also submitted a claim against the contractual party, Noarre S.L.

• The contract with Cala Pi Maintenance S.L. was dismissed on the grounds that it had no right or capacity to bring the action and appear in court.
• The contract with Noarre S.L. was found to be in perpetuity (with no end date). The judge ordered Cala Pi Maintenance S.L. to write off the debt and the contract with Noarre S.L. to be deemed null and void.

Mr & Mrs Gough commented on their case:

“Cala Pi started a claim against us for unpaid maintenance fees; it ended up at around 12,000 euros. It took some time, but we expected that with a court case in Spain. M1 Legal were completely behind us in defending us against one of these money-grabbing timeshare companies. M1 went to court on our behalf and our two contracts were quashed. We always pay our bills, so having a company demand a substantial amount from us was extremely stressful. We cannot thank M1 Legal enough that this is now over and we can move on with our lives without this hanging over us. Mr & Mrs Gough from Derby.”

M1 Legal in the papers

With this level of coverage and publicity, it could not be a better time to start your claim. Real people. Real results. Real rewards.

For more information, call our free advice line on 0203 807 3388 or email pr@timeshareadvicecentre.co.uk.