Clifford Chance faces claim

A US$200mn claim, which may be increased, targets leading law firm Clifford Chance alleging negligence, conflict of interest and improper conduct. The claim comes from Canadian industrialist Joseph Zappia, dating from his claim of US$1.7bn from the Abu Dhabi government relating to building contracts. Clifford Chance began acting for him in 1992 and ceased in 1995 when conflict of interest was identified. Following the collapse of Mr Zappia’s claim, he is seeking damages from Clifford Chance, which has made only a ‘very limited admission’ that a conflict had existed.