Manchester practice AEW has been awarded £500,000 after a row over unpaid fees on the new Museum of Liverpool.

The firm was drafted onto the job back in September 2007 when National Museums Liverpool sacked Danish architect 3XN.

AEW claimed it was owed the money after it was asked to carry out more work than was in the original contract and because NML directors kept changing the plans.

After NML refused to pay, AEW took the case to a formal adjudication, with the adjudicator upholding AEW’s claim.

NML, which is largely funded by the DCMS, said it is still pursuing the matter with its lawyers.

“We are in the process of delivering a world class museum that the people of Liverpool can be proud of and will be the envy of other cities,” a spokesman added. “This is a £72 million scheme which involves scores of different contractors and consultants. With all major projects like this there are differences of opinion which need to be worked through.
“We want the very best for this museum and it is right for us to control costs tightly. It is not unreasonable to expect our contractors and consultants to do the same.”

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