Rickard Constructions Pty Ltd v Rickard Hails Moretti Pty Ltd & Ors [2006] NSWCA 356

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: Rickard Constructions Pty Ltd v Rickard Hails Moretti Pty Ltd & Ors [2006] NSWCA 356

HEARING DATE(S): 30 & 31 October, 2 & 3 November 2006

JUDGMENT DATE: 14 December 2006

JUDGMENT OF: Handley JA at 1; Giles JA at 2; Bryson JA at 241

DECISION: Appeal dismissed with costs.

CATCHWORDS: Construction contract - for construction of pavement at container depot - pavement failed - whether because of contractor's defective workmanship - whether could recover cost of rectification under cover for "costs of loss or damage caused directly by" the defect in workmanship in the pavement - whether designing and to some extent supervising engineer in breach of contract with owner of depot - or in breach of a duty of care owed to owner or to contractor - whether geotechnical consultant engaged by engineer in breach of duty of care owed to owner or to contractor.

Bevan v Blackhall & Struthers (No 2) Pty Ltd (1973) 2 NZLR 45; Brickhill v Cooke (1984) 3 NSWLR 396; Bryan v Maloney (1995) 182 CLR 609; Donoghue v Stevenson (1932) AC 562; Graham Barclay Oysters Pty Ltd v Ryan (2002) 211 CLR 540; Heydon v NRMA Ltd (2000) 51 NSWLR 1; John Holland Construction & Engineering Pty Ltd v Majorca Projects Pty Ltd (1997) 13 BCL 235; Modbury Triangle Shopping Centre Pty Ltd v Anzil (2000) 205 CLR 254; CASES CITED: Olsson v Dyson (1969) 120 CLR 365; Pacific Associates Inc v Baxter (1990) 1 QB 993; P & E Phontos Pty Ltd v McConnell Smith Johnson Pty Ltd (1993) 9 BCL 259; Perre v Apand Pty Ltd (1998) 198 CLR 180; Rogers v Whittaker (1992) 175 CLR 479; R W Miller & Co Pty Ltd v Krupp (Australia) Pty Ltd (1995) 11 BCL 74; Voli v Inglewood Shire Council (1963) 110 CLR 74; Waimond Pty Ltd v Byrne (1989) 18 NSWLR 642; Williams v Minister Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (2000) Aust Torts Rep 81-578; [2000] NSWCA 255; Woolcock Street Investments Pty Ltd v CDG Pty Ltd (2003) 216 CLR 515.