JPQS P/L v Cosmarnan Constructions P/L & 3 Ors [2003] NSWCA 66

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : JPQS P/L v Cosmarnan Constructions P/L & 3 Ors [2003] NSWCA 66 revised - 3/07/2003 HEARING DATE(S) : 31/03/03 JUDGMENT DATE : 2 July 2003

JUDGMENT OF : Mason P at 1; Meagher JA at 7; Beazley JA at 32 DECISION : Appeal dismissed with costs.

CATCHWORDS : Torts - duty of care - reliance on accuracy of quantity surveyor's reports- application of rule in Jones v Dunkel to testimonies of doubtful relevance. CASES CITED : Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298 Armory v Delamirie (1722) 93 ER 664; 1722 (1) Strange 505 JPQS Pty Limited (Appellant) Cosmarnan Constructions Pty Limited (1st Repondent) PARTIES : Bellora Pty Limited (2nd Respondent) Giovanni Scundi (3rd Respondent) Maria Scundi (4th Respondent) FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 40380 of 2002 COUNSEL : A: B Walker SC & S Kerr R: M Tobias SC & P Tomasetti SOLICITORS : A: Colin Biggers & Paisley R: Galluzzo Golotta Andriano Simone

LOWER COURT District Court JURISDICTION : LOWER COURT DC 9775 of 1999 FILE NUMBER(S) : LOWER COURT Rolfe DCJ JUDICIAL OFFICER :

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES COURT OF APPEAL CA 40380 of 2002

MASON P MEAGHER JA BEAZLEY JA

Wednesday 2 July 2003 JPQS PTY LIMITED v COSMARNAN CONSTRUCTION PTY LIMITED

FACTS

The appellant was a bank-approved quantity surveyor. The four respondents together constituted a joint venture engaged in the development of certain land situated at Bossley Park. Pursuant to the respondents' lending arrangements, the appellant was required to certify as to the correctness of progress claims submitted to him by the builders engaged by the respondents.