King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) is set to appeal a High Court ruling that it was professionally negligent when providing advice to a client on an employment issue and ordered to pay out over £100,000.

The ruling regarding a professional negligence claim brought against the firm by a former client was handed down in London's High Court last Tuesday (5 April).

Justice Dingemans ordered KWM to pay £118,125 to Commodities Research Unit International (CRUI) after the company claimed that advice given by KWM regarding the departure of CRUI's former chief executive was professionally negligent.

CRUI had originally sought a total of £2.15m in damages from KWM. The company said this would cover the amount it paid out to its former chief executive following mediation (£1.35m), along with £800,000 of legal fees and compensation for management.

However, Justice Dingemans did not consider the total costs claimed by CRUI to be a reasonable amount and instead awarded the claimant £118,125 – just 5% of the original sum.

Now KWM is seeking to overturn the ruling, maintaining it did not act negligently.

In a statement, KWM said: "We have been vindicated by the court on all of the major allegations that were made against us.

"The plaintiff recovered only 5% of the sum they sought from us. The firm is seeking leave to appeal in relation to the single issue in respect of which it was found to be liable."

Four New Square silk Nicholas Davidson QC and 7 King's Bench Walk barrister Michael Ryan were instructed by City firm Fox for CRUI, while Michael Pooles QC and Nigel Porter were instructed by RPC on behalf of KWM.