A TOP judge made a bizarre reference to Warrington Wolves while ruling on a case in the High Court.
Judge David Hodge delivered the outcome of a dispute between Wigan Borough Council and property developer Scullindale Global on Thursday, April 1.
In doing so, he compared the dispute about the terms of a property lease by comparing it to theoretical scores in rugby league and football matches.
Ruling in favour of the council, the judge said: “For followers of Wigan Warriors, I would adjudge the final score to be in the order of 20-6 to the council.
“Followers of Warrington Wolves may have reason to recall that score.”
This appears to be a reference to a relatively inconsequential Super League clash between the Wire and their fierce rivals at the DW Stadium in August 2019, which Wigan won 20-6.
Judge Hodge then added in his 33,000-word written ruling: “For followers of the Latics, Wigan Athletic FC to the incognisant, the score is probably in the order of 4-1 to the council.”
This ruling followed a hearing before the High Court in Manchester earlier this year which centred on the fate of Haigh Hall, a stately home built in the 1800s by the 7th Earl of Balcarres.
Council bosses had given planning permission for the premises to be converted into a hotel nearly six years ago.
A lease was then granted to Scullindale Global around five years.
But the company subsequently failed to achieve a ‘milestone’ relating to the completion of refurbishment and redevelopment of the historic hall.
Lawyers representing the local authority argued that a clause meant that it was entitled to terminate the lease and re-acquire the hall as a result, leading to the legal dispute.
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