A former vet who sold his business to a multinational company has won a pay-out worth £1.6 million following a two-year legal battle.
John Levison worked as a vet for over 20 years before opening the Hull-based Swanbridge Veterinary Group in 2010.
With eight practices in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, a sale worth £28 million was agreed with Medivet in 2021. As part of the deal he was to continue working for the company until May 31, 2022, on the basis Medivet would then pay Mr Levison a further £1 million.
However when he stopped working in January 2022 the company refused to pay out.
Mr Levison launched a legal bid arguing agreements in place showed he had honoured his commitment based on excessive days worked amid a staff shortage as well as time off in lieu and holidays owed.
The High Court in Manchester has now ruled in his favour.
At a final hearing last month Medivet was ordered to pay him £1,018,434, a further sum of £175,170 in interest, and £495,000 in costs.
Kit Sorrell, a partner at FS Litigation, which fought the case, said: “John Levison’s veterinary skills are known and loved across Hull and the greater Yorkshire area. He is a pillar of his local community in Hull, working through the night and through holidays to provide 24/7 care for animals.
“On announcing John’s retirement, over 150 locals came together to thank him for his excellent veterinary care and caring nature. It was important for us to do what was right for him and restore faith in the English justice system.”
Judge Adrian Bever listened to three days of witness evidence as well as looking at surrounding evidence between parties prior to Mr Levison’s departure. He concluded that Medivet ought to have paid the Retention Monies and the Partnership Monies when they fell due, or at the very latest, soon after he the requested payment of them in May 2023.
He said he had ‘considerable sympathy with Mr Levison’s complaint’ and added: “Those claims were uncontroversial and there was no justification for payment being withheld.”
Mr Levison said the legal battle he faced and the necessary process was ‘alien’ to him but he had been guided by his legal team of Kit Sorrell and John Colvin.
He said: “Their experience in these cases was obvious. When faced with the strong arm of a multibillion-pound organisation, it was their northern grit and meticulous attention to detail that helped me stand up to Medivet.
“Once in Court, it was reassuring to be represented by such a well-prepared and skilful legal team. Above all, they had faith in my honesty.”
Medivet has declined the opportunity to comment.
Get breaking news in Hull straight to your phone
