Sheikh-ing the tree

Marbella’s Bajadilla Port expansion project suffered another blow as a court ruled that Sheikh Al-Thani’s company is to pay 3.8 million euros to the architects.

The argument was basically that the company owned by Sheikh Al-Thani; (the Satli Group,) had agreed in 2011 to commission the architects to carry out the works necessary to obtain permissions from the Junta de Andalucía regional government, and if successful, to produce all technical documents for the project.

The bone of contention in the case is that while the Junta gave approval to the expansion of the port, the five star hotel (which was included in the project) did not. Where upon the Satli group took the stance that the Seguri firm of architects had not fulfilled their side of the contract in securing full approval.

The court rejected the hotel argument and ordered the Satli group to pay 3,895,000 euros with interest and court fees. The Satli group have 20 days to launch an appeal.