Mediation fails in Rory McIlroy legal dispute

No agreement has been reached in the legal dispute between golfer Rory McIlroy and a sports management company despite mediation talks, the Commercial Court has heard. The effect of that is the case will proceed to a full hearing next February.

Mr McIlroy is suing Dublin-based Horizon Sports Management Ltd and two other companies, Gurteen Ltd, with a registered address in Malta, and Dublin-based Canovan Management Services.

He claims a representation agreement signed by him in December 2011 is invalid and unenforceable on grounds including alleged undue influence. The agreement, he alleges, was signed when he was aged just 22, inexperienced and without the benefit of independent legal advice.

The defendants deny the claims and have counter-claimed for some US$3m (€2.3m) allegedly outstanding under the agreement for off-course revenues. They also claim additional monies are owed under both the December 2011 agreement and a later agreement of March 2013. They are also claiming damages for alleged past and continuing breaches of both agreements.

At the Commercial Court last month, Mr Justice Brian McGovern suggested the sides attempt to mediate the dispute and his suggestion was taken up.

When the matter was back before the judge today, he was told by Rossa Fanning BL, for Mr McIlroy, the mediation has proven unsuccessful and the case was proceeding to trial.

The judge agreed to deal with issues related to discovery of documents in mid November and adjourned the matter on consent.