September 2002 Cleveland Bridge (CBUK) appointed to £60m steelwork contract on Wembley stadium July-August 2004 CBUK walks off the project in a dispute over payment, claiming that Multiplex had breached its contract.

CBUK replaced on site by Hollandia November 2004 Parties draft their claims January 2006 Writ filed by CBUK accuses Multiplex of changing agreed valuations, deducting payments and failing to agree a schedule after design changes; Multiplex claims £38m for delays and defective works April 2006 High Court trial gets under way as the parties fight over 10 preliminary issues, including which of them was in breach of contract June 2006 Judge Jackson rules that CBUK was in breach of contract by leaving the site, although CBUK claims victory on several minor points November 2006 CBUK posts £12m loss, leaving it dependent on its Saudi Arabian parent for survival.

Offers to settle are later made by the parties, but none are successful, and the sides differ wildly in their valuations

  • May 2007 CBUK loses an appeal on the preliminary issues
  • March 2008 Damages trial begins
  • September 2008 Judge rules CBUK must pay almost £8m to Multiplex, now Brookfield Construction, for damages, interest and costs.