Scaffold Access Yorkshire sues contractor in row over student accommodation in Sheffield

A scaffolding company has launched a legal battle in a row over construction of student accommodation in Sheffield.

Scaffold Access Yorkshire accuses contractor Ocon Construction of failing to pay £851,635.89 after a dispute arose between the two.

Ocon Construction has made a substantial counter claim but has not paid anything towards the outstanding sum, according to a High Court writ.

Now Scaffold Access, in administrator, is suing Manchester based Ocon for payment of the sum claimed as well as interest.

Scaffold Access agreed to provide scaffolding for Ocon at Sheffield One Student Resident in Wellington Street, Sheffield, in August 2005. There were variations to the subcontract works, and various accounts were exchanged between the two companies.

Scaffold Access says it has followed all parts of the court’s pre-action protocol for construction and engineering disputes, but claims Ocon refused to take part in a meeting, and has refused mediation.

Ocon has also failed to follow procedures in the subcontract for deciding the sum due, and has not followed subcontract procedures for the final sum.