CIA Looks To ITC For Arbitration

The CIA Group has said that it wants its dispute with Laser *YTTV And Granada Issue Writs Against CIA put before an independent body such as the ITC for arbitration.

CIA is proposing to put £832,453, the amount which Laser is claiming it is owed, into an account from which it would pay the sales house if an arbitrator thought it appropriate. In a statement CIA says it is “prepared to be fully bound by whatever decision is reached.” It went on to say that “no writ has been issued by either party and we continue to trade with Laser Sales on a normal commercial basis and envisage continuing to do so.”

The ITC however seemed less than enthusiastic to get involved in the dispute, which is fast becoming an industry-wide debate on the issue of how TV airtime is bought. A spokeswoman at the ITC said that it had not yet been approached by CIA and was reluctant to comment on the issue until more details were known. She did say however that as an organisation the ITC had no statutory powers of arbitration and the only way it would definitely get involved was if the qualifying revenue of ITV licences was affected.

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CIA: 0171 633 9999

Laser: 0171 396 6000

ITC: 0171 255 3000