Cases - Bellefield Computer Services Ltd v E. Turner & Sons Ltd
Record details
- Name
- Bellefield Computer Services Ltd v E. Turner & Sons Ltd
- Date
- [2002]
- Citation
- EWCA Civ 1823
- Legislation
- Keywords
- Contract administration
- Summary
-
In a claim against the defendant building contractor for faulty construction which led to a fire, the contractor claimed a contribution against a firm of architects who had prepared designs for the works. The contractor claimed that the architect’s design of the firewall had been negligent. However, the architect’s retainer had not been for full design, but for ‘partial architectural services’.
It was held that the scope of the architect’s retainer included making drawings outlining the design of the firewall and being available to consult with the contractor, but it did not include overseeing the construction of the works or detailed design beyond specifying that the firewall should conform to the applicable specifications. Accordingly, the architect was not liable to the contractor.