CASES AGAINST KEDDIES FOR APRIL

April has been a busy month for cases against Keddies. It began with the successful settlement of a claim for one of our clients who recovered $350,000 plus costs. This was one of three cases which completed within a week of one another where the total amount recovered from Keddies was just on $1 million plus costs for overcharging.

Next came 3 smaller cases where the clients each recovered the full amount they were claiming which was between $30,000 and $45,000 in each case.

Next came another case where after the first day of hearing Keddies capitulated and agreed to pay the full amount being claimed of $143,900 plus costs.

Next came another four cases which had been listed for hearing together. Again on the eve of the hearing Keddies threw in the towel and agreed to pay the full amount being claimed plus costs which ranged from $38,200 to $150,300.

Next up was the tragic case of Mitchell Smith who lost an arm in a motorcycle accident. In his case the allegation was that Keddies had overcharged him by in excess of $300,000. The case was fought to the end but we were successful and Keddies were ordered to repay to Mr Smith $324,658.64 plus his costs.

No doubt chastened by this defeat Keddies rolled over and paid the next claim we had in full. Another $182,000 plus costs.

In April alone there were 11 successful cases against Keddies where damages (not including costs) of over $1.5 million were recovered.

There are another 7 matters listed for hearing in May.

KEDDIES APPEAL DISMISSED

On the 27^th March 2012 the Court of Appeal dismissed on appeal brought by Keddies from the decision of Ashford J in the District Court awarding the late Stavre Bazdarov the sum of $238,669 in damages to compensate him for gross overcharging by Keddies. Mr Bazdarov’s widow, who contested the appeal, was emotional when the court announced that the appeal was dismissed with costs. "This was what my husband had fought for", she said.

In addition to the judgement Keddies will have to pay interest of a further $20,000 and costs. The Court is presently considering an application that Keddies pay those costs on an indemnity basis.

This was a case where, before the trial, Mr Barakat paid a visit to the home of Mr Bazdarov and tried to persuade him to settle for $50,000. Unlike many former clients, who have been enticed by Mr Barakat’s approaches, Mr Bazderov refused to do any deals with Keddies and opted to take his case to court instead.

LATEST CASE AGAINST KEDDIES SETTLES FOR $365,000

We have just completed our latest case in our string of claims against Keddies for overcharging. This was one of the largest cases we have had so far. The case was set down for hearing in the District Court on the 28^th March 2012, but on the 20^th March we received an offer on behalf of Keddies to settle for $365,000 plus costs. As this was more than the total we could recover in the event that we were wholly successful at court the client had no difficulty in deciding to accept the offer.

Because Keddies had knocked back an offer to settle which our client had made soon after commencing the proceedings for only $200,000 they were also ordered to pay his costs for most of the proceedings on an indemnity basis. We have now settled all 10 cases that have been listed for hearing against Keddies this year shortly before they came on for hearing.

In each case we have been able to settle for the full amount being claimed plus indemnity costs.

This takes the total recovered on behalf of former clients of Keddies to well over the $1,000,000 mark.

Keddies settle another four cases

2012 has begun positively for our clients that have brought claims against Keddies. The first four cases were due to come for hearing on 6 February 2012 but just before Christmas Keddies offered to settle each matter for the full amount we were claiming plus interest in full.

In addition Keddies agreed to pay costs including indemnity costs because they had earlier rejected an Offer of Compromise we had served in each matter for a much lesser figure.

In the first case we were claiming that Keddies overcharged our client by $23,859.51. On top of this amount we were claiming interest of $10,703.08 making a total of $34,567.54. Keddies agreed to pay that amount together with costs including indemnity costs.

In the second case we were claiming that Keddies overcharged our client by $44,437.74. On top of this amount we were claiming interest of $24,577.32 making a total claim of $69,015.06. Keddies agreed to pay that amount together with costs including indemnity costs.

In the third case we were claiming that Keddies overcharged our client by $57,973.44. On top of this amount we were claiming interest of $34,278.19 making a total of $92,251.63. Keddies agreed to pay that amount together with costs including indemnity costs.

In the fourth and final case we were claiming that Keddies overcharged our client by $43,598.22. On top of this amount we were claiming interest of $25,503.21 making a total claim of $69,101.43. In the end Keddies agreed to pay that amount together with costs including indemnity costs.

Warning to all clients with claims against Keddies

It has come to our attention that Keddies have been approaching our clients behind our backs and, in some instances, have persuaded clients to settle their claims for less than they are worth. 

They recently tried the same tactic in one of our cases and offered the clients $30,000 each. Fortunately in this instance the clients had the good sense to speak to us about it and we very quickly put a stop to it. 

No sooner had we done so then Keddies immediately served offers in each matter for the total amount being claimed together with interest. In one case this was $58,300 plus costs and in the other matter $53,300 plus costs. In each case there was nearly double the amount they had been trying to persuade the clients to accept behind our back. 

It is now clear that Keddies are desperate. They will stop at nothing to try and prevent these cases from going to Court. They will even go so far as to approach our clients directly without our permission. 

Be warned. If they approach you sign nothing and contact us. Don’t listen to them, don’t throw your rights away, do what these clients had the good sense to do and speak to us first to ensure that you get the best deal. 

To stop them we have obtained an injunction from the Supreme Court of New South Wales so if they or anybody on their behalf approaches you it would be in breach of the order.