Ian Maxwell fights bankruptcy action

IAN MAXWELL, son of the late Robert Maxwell, appeared in the High Court in London yesterday to contest a bankruptcy petition brought against him by the liquidators of the Maxwell pension funds, writes John Willcock.

Mr Justice Chadwick will rule on the case this morning.

Ian's brother Kevin was made Britain's biggest bankrupt last year, to the tune of pounds 405m. In December the judge made a judgment against Ian for pounds 500,000, which he is appealing against.

The legal argument yesterday centred on a pounds 250,000 charge, which Ian Maxwell's own solicitors, Kingsley Napley, took last July over his Belgravia flat to pay their fees. Kingsley Napley would be paid ahead of Mr Maxwell's unsecured creditors - mainly Maxwell pensioners - if he is made bankrupt.

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