29 Jun 2016 09:01
29 June 2016
Sportech PLC ("Sportech")
Update on VAT Claim
Sportech confirms that Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs ("HMRC") has paid Sportech £93 million in relation to the VAT repayment claim on the "Spot the Ball" game. The balance of approximately £4 million will be paid to Sportech in the event of a successful final determination.
Sportech is awaiting a decision from the Supreme Court as to whether HMRC has been granted the right to appeal to the Supreme Court against the Court of Appeal's unanimous decision in favour of Sportech.
If HMRC is granted the right to appeal (expected by Autumn 2016), and in the event that the Supreme Court overturns this unanimous decision, and issues judgment in favour of HMRC (potentially late 2017/early 2018), these monies together with any related interest would need to be repaid.
Sportech will update shareholders with further information as it becomes available.
Notes
The claim, which was first submitted in 2009, was heard by the First-tier Tribunal's Tax Chamber ("FTT") in October 2012. In March 2013, it was announced that the FTT had found in Sportech's favour.
Following the FTT's rejection of HMRC's subsequent application for leave to appeal to the Upper Tribunal (Tax and Chancery Chamber) ("UT"), HMRC then applied directly to the UT which granted such permission. The claim was heard by the UT in April and May of 2014 and it was announced in September that the UT had ruled in HMRC's favour.
In January 2015, Sportech announced that it had been granted the right to appeal to the Court of Appeal. The hearing took place on 8 April 2016, following which on 4 May 2016 the Court of Appeal judges found unanimously in favour of Sportech. On 13 May 2016, HMRC sought permission from the Court of Appeal to appeal to the Supreme Court, which was refused. Sportech announced on 6 June 2016 that HMRC had lodged an application to appeal directly to the Supreme Court.
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For further information, please contact:
Sportech PLC 020 7268 2400
Ian Penrose, Chief Executive
Luisa Wright, Group General Counsel
Brunswick Group LLP 020 7404 5959
Mike Smith
Stuart Donnelly
sportech@brunswickgroup.com
Investec Bank PLC 020 7597 5970
Patrick Robb
Peel Hunt LLP 020 7418 8900
Dan Webster