CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP v Messi

Mark Vinall, acting on behalf of the international law firm CMS, has obtained an order requiring the footballer Lionel Messi to attend the High Court in London to be cross-examined about his assets.

CMS’s predecessor firm Olswang LLP obtained a High Court judgment for legal fees against Mr Messi in 2014. Enforcement proceedings have been ongoing in Spain for several years: Mr Messi says that the judgment is unenforceable because the claim form was not properly served on him. The Barcelona Court of Appeal found against Mr Messi but he is seeking to appeal to the Supreme Court of Spain. CMS therefore applied for an order in England to obtain information about Mr Messi’s assets (in particular those outside Spain).

Master Dagnall granted an order which is to be served personally on Mr Messi when he next plays in England.