ICL faces writ over unpaid bills

ICL's systems services division has been stunned by a surprise writ issued by one of its staffing contractors for alleged unpaid placements outstanding over a period of nearly three years.

Recruitment company Comms People is suing the ICL division, formerly ICL Sorbus, for #331,191, claiming that several invoices issued between 20 September 1995 and 22 April were unpaid. It was also seeking interest of about #5,000.

But Tim Regan, divisional managing director at ICL, said the writ had come as a complete surprise to the company and he had been unable to discover any communication with Comms People before it was filed with the High Court.

He said filing a writ without extensive communication beforehand was unusual. ICL's systems service division was reconciling placements with payments after filing notice of a defence.

Regan said: 'A large number had been paid and I don't know why Comms People hadn't noticed that in its own accounts. It's not a serious piece of litigation.'

ICL said once it was satisfied that the invoices had been paid, it will present the information to the court. Comms People refused to comment on the legal battle.