Cases - Richard Roberts Holdings Ltd v Douglas Smith Stimson Partnership (1988)

Record details

Name

Richard Roberts Holdings Ltd v Douglas Smith Stimson Partnership

Date

(1988)`

Citation

22 Con. LR 60

Keywords

Contract administration

Summary

The defendant architects designed an effluent tank for the claimant's dyeworks, relying on a quotation from the second defendants (ECC) for the installation of a specialist resin lining. The architects had no knowledge of such specialist linings, but nevertheless approved ECC's quotation and the claimant duly entered into a contract with ECC.

The lining failed. The court held that the architects were liable in negligence and/or for breach of contract for failing to adequately investigate ECC's proposed lining. Part of their role was to be aware of and collect information in relation to new materials. If they were unable to advise on the lining, they should have informed the claimant of this and advised the claimant to seek different advice.