Father and Son dispute over classic cars ends with the dismissal of the son’s appeal

The well-publicised dispute between Mr Ernst Hrabalek and his son, Christian, over the ownership of a collection of classic Lancia cars came to an end today when the Court of Appeal dismissed Christian’s appeal.  He was seeking to overturn a decision of the High Court in May 2015 that the cars, worth £4 million, which the son had failed to return to his father were not his and should be returned.

Ernst Hrabalek was represented by Edwin Coe LLP and barrister Siward Atkins of Maitland Chambers in the appeal.

David Greene, Senior Partner said

“It is always sad to see family members fall out.  My client Ernst Hrabalek had hoped that the matter was concluded last year when the Court found in his favour. Christian Hrabalek sought however to continue the process by seeking to appeal. Today the Appeal Court has kicked out the appeal and my client Mr Hrabalek is only too pleased to bring the matter to an end. It has of course been deeply upsetting for him and he looks forward to putting it behind him. The cars were always rightfully his and he can now, at last, take control of them.”

For further information on this news release, please contact:-

David Greene
Senior Partner
t: 020 7691 4000
e: [email protected]

Tanya Byrne
Head of Business Development & Marketing
t: 020 7691 4173
e: [email protected]