Alfred mcalpine is this week contemplating the wreckage left by its failed struggle with Sir Robert McAlpine over possession of the family name. The judge in the case, which was fought in the High Court in March, is considering how much money should be awarded to Sir Robert. The likelihood is that the total cost will be colossal, and City analysts are already speculating on the possible consequences for the company. Alfred is expected to be hit by a hefty compensation payout, a seven-figure legal bill, and the cost of writing off the estimated ￡400,000 it paid to rebrand itself "McAlpine" The judge's decision means that it will have to wipe out its purple logo from company's headed notepaper and from site notice boards. Early estimates are of ￡2m for the cost of rebranding and the legal fees. Then there is the public ignimony for the management who went ahead with the rebranding, and decided to fight the inevitable court case. This struggle was between two of the biggest players in the construction industry. But what has made it intriguing is that it has also centred on a family dynasty that stretches back over half a century.
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