DIFC Courts rules in favour of Viceroy

dubai — DIFC Courts has issued a court order prohibiting the owner of the Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai hotel from taking any further actions to prevent Viceroy Hotels and Resorts from exercising Viceroy’s exclusive authority to manage and operate the hotel.

Viceroy requested the DIFC Courts’ assistance following the actions taken by the hotel’s owner on June 19, when it announced the purported takeover of the hotel by Five Hotels and Resorts, a company affiliated with the hotel’s owner, and took steps to attempt to remove Viceroy from the property.

The owner’s actions at that time breached the existing hotel management agreement. Viceroy is currently taking steps to ensure that the hotel’s owner complies fully with the terms of the court order and the hotel management agreement.

Bill Walshe, CEO of Viceroy Hotel Group, said: “Contrary to the hotel owner’s statements and subsequent media reports, Viceroy has always been, and remains, the legal operator of the Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai.

“The court’s order requires, among other things, Viceroy’s name, signage and branding to be reinstated at the hotel. Our priority remains to work with our hotel colleagues to ensure continuity of service.” — Wam