Zaha Hadid Limited (Respondent) v The Zaha Hadid Foundation (Appellant)

Case summary

Case ID

UKSC/2026/0051

Parties

Appellant(s)

The Zaha Hadid Foundation

Respondent(s)

Zaha Hadid Limited

Issue

Does Clause 12 of the Licence Agreement supply a right for the licensee to terminate the contract on reasonable notice, either as a matter of construction or on the basis of an implied term?

Facts

The appellant and respondent are both companies set up by the late, famous architect Dame Zaha Hadid. The appellant, Zaha Hadid Ltd (“the Company”), is an international architecture practice founded by Dame Zaha. The respondent, The Zaha Hadid Foundation, was set up by Dame Zaha to preserve her work and legacy. By way of a contract dated 1 May 2013, Dame Zaha had licensed the registered trademarks for ZAHA HADID to the Company. Upon her death, her trademarks were passed to the Foundation, which is now the licensor and a party to the contract. The Company wanted to continue to use the name ZAHA HADID but to renegotiate the terms of the contract so that it contains a reduced licence fee. It therefore argued that it had the right to terminate the contract on reasonable notice. The Foundation disagreed, and argued that the contract could not be terminated in that manner. It is common ground that the dispute turns on the effect of Clause 12 of the contract, entitled “Duration and Termination”. Adam Johnson J at first instance held that the contract contained no term giving the Company a right to terminate. The Court of Appeal allowed the appeal, finding that the contract did contain such a term, such that the Company is entitled to terminate the Licence Agreement upon reasonable notice. The Foundation now appeals to the Supreme Court.

Date of issue

22 April 2026

Case origin

PTA

Back to top