3XN threatens legal action over NML project

The saga surrounding the troubled Museum of Liverpool has taken yet another twist after ousted architects 3XN said it had sought legal advice over possible copyright infringement.

Kim Nielsen, whose practice was controversially replaced on the prestige waterfront site by executive architects AEW in November, told the AJ he was also intending to sue the museum over 'a substantial amount' of unpaid fees.

Nielsen said: 'When we finished our work we thought they would pay us off because they owe us a lot of extra money. But they didn't. They've now come back with a counterclaim.

He added: 'Our solicitors have since advised us about potential copyright issues which we hadn't even thought about.'

Since the Danish firm's departure from the £68 million scheme, the development has been mired in a media storm involving claims by Nielsen that the museum chiefs had meddled in the design and that AEW had tried to undermine him – a claim denied by self-proclaimed project 'troubleshooters' AEW. There have also been issues about a change in cladding from travertine stone to jura – a move which has recently received conditional approval from Liverpool City Council.

Unsurprisingly the museum has refuted Nielsen's claims. Director David Fleming said: 'National Museums Liverpool believes 3XN have no grounds for legal action and we are very happy with the way the project is proceeding.

'We have made the right decisions to protect the scheme and ensure its success.'