PRESS DIGEST - British business - Aug 6

The Times

BAA TAKES LEGAL ACTION AGAINST RYANAIR

The airports operator BAA has initiated legal action against Ryanair (RYA.I) after the budget carrier refused to pay a seven percent increase in landing fees at Stansted. The hike in charges was sanctioned by the Civil Aviation Authority, but Ryanair has appealed to the Competition Commission. A spokesman for the airline said: "We are going to fight the action. We don't think the fees are warranted."

LAND OF LEATHER SUED FOR 250,000 POUNDS BY RESCUE FUND

The struggling furniture retailer Land of Leather LAN.L is facing a 250,000 pound lawsuit from Aglio, an investment group that wanted to inject five million pounds of rescue funds into the business in June. Aglio's claim states that the money was part of a loan that was agreed "in all essential respects" on June 18, a day before Land of Leather declared that it had arranged separate financing.

GFK TURNS TO APAX IN FIGHT TO BUY TAYLOR NELSON SOFRES