Holiday apartment dispute must go to Spanish courts

DOZENS of couples who bought apartments in Spain and claim they were deceived into paying an extra €5,700 on the purchase price will have to sue in the Spanish courts if they are to recover their money.

Judge Alison Lindsay ruled in a test case in the Circuit Civil Court yesterday that the Spanish courts had jurisdiction of a claim for damages for alleged breach of contract and alleged deceit, misrepresentation and negligence.

The test case was taken by Stephen and Evelyn Fennell, of Forest Court, River Valley, Swords, Co Dublin, on behalf of 100 other purchasers seeking to recover a total of €570,000 in alleged extra payments as well as damages.