Datex to cough up £23,000 as Senate wins case

Senate Computer Services was awarded a five-figure sum for consultancy fee debts after it won its court action against its former partner, Datex Computers.

In February, Senate issued a writ against Datex over an alleged dispute over consultancy fees which amounted to more than £23,000, in a claim going back more than three years (PC Dealer, 11 February).

Last week, Senate's managing director, Joel Abramson, was awarded £19,695.79 plus interest for accumulated debts with Datex.

Datex was given leave to defend the balance of the claim - £3,638.02 - and was ordered to pay the costs of the summary judgement application.

A representative of Senate's solicitor, Harbottle & Lewis, said: 'Datex may decide to appeal against the decision, but for the time being, we're happy.' He added Senate had 'no arguable defence' against alleged claims that Datex's turnover had decreased because Abramson had diverted business away from Datex.

Robert Addlestone, Datex's solicitor at CW Harwood & Co, told PC Dealer: 'If an appeal is lodged, it will be for the full amount.' According to its managing director Martin Linder, Datex will continue its counterclaim that Abramson diverted business. It will seek damages in excess of the £19,000 awarded to Senate.

Abramson said he was now more cautious about who he did business with: 'Nobody owes me money for long now without me chasing them.'