THE family shot to fame on the back of fearsome crocodiles but they could be facing their scariest challenge yet with a lawsuit filed against the Irwin family.

Terri Irwin and her children are being sued for breach of contract after allegedly saying they wanted to “take a break” from their filming and commercial arrangements.

Melbourne-based Zoo Sky Media, the company that manages the Crocodile Hunter and Irwin family brands, has filed a writ in the Victorian Supreme Court asking for damages after Ms Irwin told the company she and her children, Bindi and Bob, were reassessing their lives and wanted to step back from their management deal.

Mrs Irwin said she and her family were at a crossroads and wanted to make a change, the writ alleges.

The company also claims the Irwin family bypassed them to appear on reality TV show I’m A Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!, and provided the show with clips, denying Zoo revenue it was entitled to.

STEP BACK

Mrs Irwin and Zoo directors Adam Schoff and Michael John Whitfort had entered into an agreement in 2010 whereby Zoo would develop, market and manage the Irwin Family Brand Assets, the writ says.

“Terri Irwin said to Schoff that she and her children had been reassessing their lives and wanted to take a step back from all the activity associated with filming, they needed to take a break, and they needed to step out of the agreement,” the writ says.

The company is seeking damages, costs and interest, claiming a list of breaches Mrs Irwin later provided as a basis for breaking the agreement have no basis in fact or in law.

Ms Irwin has been contacted for a response.

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