CJD Equipment v A&C Constructions [2009] NSWSC 1362

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : CJD Equipment v A&C Constructions [2009] NSWSC 1362

HEARING DATE(S) : 6/10/09, 07/10/09, 08/10/09, 09/10/09.

JUDGMENT DATE : 10 December 2009

JURISDICTION : Equity Division Technology & Construction List

JUDGMENT OF : McDougall J at 1

DECISION : See paragraphs [407] to [410] of the judgment.

CATCHWORDS : BUILDING AND ENGINEERING CONTRACTS – construction – terms to be implied where contractual documents limited – whether implied term of fitness for purpose – performance – whether design defective – whether caused damage to constructed premises – whether subcontractors made representations to the principal – whether resultant liability of sub-contractors – remedies – damages – quantification – apportionment of damages between defendants – mitigation – whether plaintiff mitigated loss. - TORT – whether duty of care owed – whether plaintiff relevantly vulnerable – scope of duty – whether damage to building properly characterised as economic loss – causation – whether loss complained of caused by design or representations made by defendants – whether plaintiffs' amendments to design a novus actus interveniens.

Civil Liability Act 2002 LEGISLATION CITED : Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) Trade Practices Act 1974 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules

CATEGORY : Principal judgment

Commercial Union Assurance Company of Australia Ltd v Ferrcom Pty Ltd (1991) 22 NSWLR 389 Bryan v Maloney (1995) 182 CLR 609 Digi-Tech (Australia) Ltd v Brand (2004) 62 IPR 184 Ingot Capital Investments Pty Ltd v Macquarie Equity Capital Markets Ltd (2008) 68 ACSR 595 CASES CITED : Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298 Murphy v Brentwood District Council [1991] 1 AC 398 Perre v Apand Pty Ltd (1999) 198 CLR 180 Ralf Dutton v Jalapen Pty Ltd (1994) 10 BCL 338 Sutherland Shire Council v Heyman (1985) 157 CLR 424 Woolcock Street Investments Pty Ltd v CDG Pty Ltd (2004) 216 CLR 515