Maurice wins Saatchi victory

Saatchi & Saatchi has failed to prevent Maurice Saatchi setting up a rival agency to the one he founded with his brother Charles in the 1970s.

The company yesterday lost a High Court action that sought to prevent Maurice Saatchi and three former colleagues who resigned from Saatchi & Saatchi following Mr Saatchi's departure setting up in competition.

Dismissing the case the judge said the application for an injunction against the four was an attempt to get "relief by the back door". The judge added that "the back door is firmly closed".

Mr Saatchi is now free to set up a rival business.

The company had accused Mr Saatchi of inducing the three directors - David Kershaw, Jeremy Sinclair and Bill Muirhead - to break their contracts with the agency.

Outside the court room, Mr Kershaw said the result was "wonderful". He said he would continue to help with setting up the new business, but would for the time being play no part in pitching for business.