Harrods to launch legal action against estate of former owner al Fayed

Harrods is set to take legal action against the estate of its former owner Mohamed al-Fayed as the luxury retailer’s multimillion-pound bill for compensating his sexual abuse victims climbs.

The luxury department store, which has been under new ownership since 2010, is planning to go to the High Court this week to file a passing-over application to replace the executors of al-Fayed’s estate, Sky News reported.

It is hoping to replace the current executors, who are thought to be close family members, with professional executors, who would be expected to investigate the assets and liabilities of the estate.

Sources told the publication that the application could allow the business to potentially seek to recover substantial sums from al-Fayed’s estate as it prepares to pay out tens of millions of pounds.

A Harrods spokesperson said: “We are considering legal options that would ensure that no doors are closed on any future action and that a route to compensation and accountability from the Fayed estate remains open to all.”

Earlier this year, it emerged that Harrods would award sums of up to six-figure to the women that were subject to abuse from the Egyptian tycoon.

In a form outlining the details of the redress scheme, it referred to the potential “for Harrods to recover compensation paid out under this Scheme from Mohamed Fayed’s estate”.

“You are not obliged to assist with any such claim for recovery,” it told potential claimants.

“However, if you would be willing to assist Harrods, including potentially by giving evidence against Fayed’s estate, please indicate below.”

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