The Wembley stadium row between PC Harrington and Multiplex, in which the concrete firm was claiming more than 拢17m, has been settled out of court.

The pair had been at loggerheads since last November when PC Harrington (PCH) filed a claim for damages and breach of contract at the Technology and Construction Court in London.

Under the claim, PCH said the amount at stake was 鈥渋n excess of 拢17m鈥�. PCH signed a 拢45m contract with Multiplex in September 2002 but later claimed the value of the deal had gone up by more than 拢13m.

The firm also wanted the court to rule that practical completion of its work was reached in January 2007 and that it was entitled to an extension of time to that date.

Multiplex counter-claimed and although the details were never made public, the figure was believed to be close to 拢10m.

The parties have now reached agreement and this week Multiplex said: 鈥淓verything has been amicably settled. We have no issues with PCH.鈥�

Everything has been amicably settled. We have no issues with PCH

Multiplex spokesperson

It added that the terms of the deal were confidential. PCH declined to comment.

PCH and Multiplex, now renamed Brookfield, have clashed before. Multiplex alleged at its 2006 High Court trial with steelwork contractor Cleveland Bridge (CBUK), that PCH had poured the wrong sort of concrete into the base of the stadium鈥檚 arch. A further dispute arose over problems with the drainage system.

The news will be a boost to Multiplex after it emerged two weeks ago that its long-running dispute with CBUK was set to drag on further, with both sides seeking to appeal the verdict that awarded Multiplex about 拢8m.

Postscript

History of the Wembley project at