BL-2023-NCL-000014 - [2025] EWHC 2074 (Ch)

In my judgment this email confirms once again that at this time (a) the only relevant contractual arrangement was that the element of ticket sales to which SSD was entitled by way of rebate was to be used to reduce advances by Ticketline; and (b) SSD Music was entitled to the vast majority of the proceeds of ticket sales and at this point there had been no set off nor agreement to set off the same against advances made by Ticketline.

I should also add that the negotiations between Mr Mellor and Mr Betesh were characterised in the Defence as being focused upon Mr Mellor becoming an investor into SSD by way of a transfer or purchase of a shareholding from the parent company, IG Industries. It is said that:

“ The further discussions did not involve any indication that Mr Mellor intended to take over the operation of SSD or assume any responsibility for organising, promoting or managing the Festival”.

In fact, the contemporaneous emails show the quoted passage to be simply untrue.