AN ARCHITECT who threatened to sue National Museums Liverpool for breach of copyright is due in the city for talks with heritage chiefs next month.

Danish designers 3XN were behind the new Museum of Liverpool’s distinctive “X-Wing” shape.

But they were acrimoniously dropped from the project in favour of Manchester-based architects AEW when building was due to start.

Last year, 3XN’s principal architect, Kim Nielsen, said his firm was considering legal action against NML after the falling-out.

The Dane – whose firm picked up the Royal Institute of British Architects’ coveted International Award in 2009 – also claimed NML had withheld payments for the design work.

Now Mr Nielsen is due to return to Liverpool in January to meet NML director Dr David Fleming.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Post, he refused to rule out legal action or say if NML had settled its bills with 3XN.

But he noted AEW had stayed largely true to 3XN’s original design, changing only the cladding material, the toilets and the access ramps.

Last year, Mr Nielsen said NML still owed his firm “a lot of money”.

Confirming the meeting was due to take place, NML said Dr Fleming and Mr Nielsen would be discussing how to “promote” the new museum once it is completed later in 2010.

Mr Nielsen said last night: “We are due to fly to Liverpool just after Christmas to have a friendly meeting with the client. I am coming over at the start of January.

“Our aim is to have a gentlemen’s agreement (with the client). I think things are going in the right way now.