Steve Finnan, a former Premier League player known for his time with Liverpool, is facing bankruptcy. This situation arises from a prolonged legal dispute with his brother, Sean, centered around a failed property business partnership. The conflict has now lasted nearly a decade.
Legal Battles and Bankruptcy Petition
In 2016, Finnan became concerned about the management of their shared business and initiated legal action against his brother. By 2018, he secured a £4 million settlement in the High Court, but he has yet to receive any funds. Instead, Sean Finnan was declared bankrupt in July 2019.
Since then, Steve Finnan has been involved in a series of legal cases. One notable instance involved a $6 million negligence claim against the law firm Charles Russell Speechlys, where Finnan sought to jail a lawyer for contempt of court. Ultimately, he faced a significant costs bill but did not settle his debts.
Further Complications
Currently, Steve Finnan is dealing with a bankruptcy petition filed at Central London County Court. His legal troubles have intensified with disputes over the fees charged by Candey Ltd, the solicitors managing his case. The court proceedings have revealed further complexities, and Finnan’s attempts to delay proceedings have been noted by the court.
Recently, he faced setbacks when the High Court dismissed his appeal concerning earlier orders in the bankruptcy case. Judge Mr. Justice Mellor suggested that Finnan’s actions were merely attempts to stall the inevitable conclusion of the petition.
Football Career Highlights
Steve Finnan, born in Limerick, Ireland, enjoyed a successful professional football career. He played for Fulham, Liverpool, and Portsmouth, and notably won both the Champions League and the FA Cup. He also represented Ireland over 50 times on the international stage.
Next Steps in the Case
The bankruptcy petition has now been moved to the Central London County Court. In June, District Judge Carla Revere issued important directions regarding the case. However, Finnan filed an appeal against her orders, resulting in the postponement of a crucial hearing initially scheduled for September.
Finnan represented himself in court, claiming the case’s complexity warranted a High Court judge’s involvement. However, Judge Mellor rejected his claims, stating that the bankruptcy petition did not revolve around the larger sums involved in previous disputes but dealt instead with a costs order under £50,000.
No new date has been established for the return of the bankruptcy case to court, leaving Finnan’s financial future in uncertainty.
