User:The C of E/tfl

The Football League v Edge Ellison (A Firm) [2006] EWHC 1462 (Ch) was a High Court of Justice of England and Wales negligence case between The Football League and Edge Ellison solicitors firm. The case revolved around The Football League claiming that Edge Ellison had been professionally negligent when negotiating a television contract with ITV Digital. The court found Edge Ellison had been negligent on two counts however they only awarded The Football League a nominal £4 (£2 for each breach) on the grounds that neither breach had caused substantial damage.

Background
The Football League had signed a television rights deal with ITV Digital to show Football League and League Cup matches on satellite television. In 2002, ITV Digital collapsed while owing £150 million to Football League clubs. A last minute offer from The Football League to accept only £90 million was rejected by ITV Digital who claimed they could only afford £50 million. As a result a number of The Football League's clubs, such as Barnsley and Queen's Park Rangers who had been relying on that money, went into administration.

The Football League sued ITV Digital's parent companies Carlton Television and Granada Television for £130 million as a result. However, the High Court ruled against The Football League on the grounds that the contract contained no legal written guarantees that the money would be paid, The Football League then sued their solicitors Edge Ellison for professional negligence, alleging that they were responsible for failing to get the legal guarantees in the original contract and the lost income.