April 12 2001 12:00 AM ET
Sir Elton John may appeal unfavorable court ruling
Sir Elton John, who has been pursuing a negligence claim in the British courts against John Reid Enterprises (JREL), his former management company, may appeal the court’s decision in favor of JREL, according to the BBC. John had claimed that tour expenses charged to him—including booking agents, accountants, and producers—should have been picked up by JREL. In a 138-page decision, which found that the case failed “on the facts,” Mr. Justice Ferris said, “I have concluded that the agreement which Sir Elton reached with JREL regarding the costs for touring does not require that those costs should have been paid by JREL.” John stated, “As everyone in the business knows, it is notoriously difficult to succeed in a claim for negligence against professional advisers. Obviously I am disappointed, and I am considering with my lawyers the question of appeal, which seems likely.” The trial was primarily of public interest when John was required to detail his extravagant lifestyle. The revelation that the singer had managed to spend $26 million in a 20-month period, including $195,300 on flowers alone, staggered many. The judge remarked, “Sir Elton is clearly a man of an uncommonly generous disposition. He likes spending money on himself and on gifts or other benefits to friends. But he has little or no interest in business matters and does not bother to understand matters which do not interest him.” John now faces legal fees of around £8 million.
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