Gregory Banner KC and Emily Gaileyhave successfully defended a subsidiary of the Evans Property Group in a claim for a share of development profits. Following a five day trial (and an additional day of further submissions on the issue of limitation) Mr Justice Leech has dismissed all the claims against the Defendant.

The Defendant, Evans Homes, is part of the highly respected, multi-generational Yorkshire property investment and development business, Evans Property Group. It has over many years successfully reclaimed and developed the Skelton Site next to the M1 south of Leeds – a significant 267 acre site which was formerly an open cast coal mine.

The Claimant claimed 10% of Evans’ net profits from the development of the site, based either on an alleged agreement between the parties, or alternatively as a result of claims in estoppel or unjust enrichment. In his first judgment, handed down on 13 February 2026, the Judge dismissed the claims in contract and estoppel, finding, after cross-examination, Tangent’s evidence to have been “reconstructed” and “heavily coloured by hindsight”. In the second judgment, handed down on 17 July 2026, the Judge dismissed the claim in unjust enrichment as being statute barred, determining the interesting issue of when a cause of action in unjust enrichment accrues in a case where services are rendered in anticipation of a contract which does not materialise.

Gregory Banner KC and Emily Gailey acted for Evans Homes (Skelton) No 2 Limited, instructed by Nick Lees and Kieran Craddock of Walker Morris

Read the first full judgment: Tangent Properties (North) Ltd v Evans Homes (Skelton) No 2 Ltd [2026] EWHC 298 (Ch) 

Read the second full judgment: Tangent Properties (North) Ltd v Evans Homes (Skelton) No 2 Ltd [2026] EWHC 1814 (Ch)