Negligence in building design and construction
Tort is a collection of civil law remedies entitling a person to recover damages for loss and injury which have been caused by the actions, omissions or statements of another person in such circumstances that the latter was in breach of a duty or obligation imposed at law.
In tort, duties and obligations are created by the courts applying common law, which has, on the basis of previous authority fallen into three distinct categories:
The tort of negligence is concerned with a breach of a duty to take care. In order to succeed in an action for negligence, a plaintiff must prove:
- The defendant owed to the plaintiff a legal duty of care, and,
- The defendant was in breach of duty, and,
- The plaintiff has suffered damage as a result of that breach.
The legal duty of care referred to is one that arises independently of a contractual obligation and, indeed, in the absence of a contract. Over many years the courts have produced a long series of decisions to assist in deciding whether or not, on particular facts, a duty of care arises.
Some of the key cases are listed below. Clicking on the links will take you to articles describing each case.
- Donoghue v Stevenson (1932).
- Hedley Byrne & Co Ltd v Heller & Partners Ltd (1963, 1964).
- Dutton v Bognor Regis UDC and Another (1972).
- Anns v Merton London Borough Council (1977, 1978).
- Junior Books Ltd v Veitchi Co Ltd (1982).
- Governors of the Peabody Donation Fund v Sir Lindsay Parkinson & Co Ltd (1984).
- Muirhead v Industrial Tank Specialists Ltd (1985, 1986).
- Leigh & Sillivan Ltd v Aliakmon Shipping Co Ltd (1986).
- Curran and Another v Northern Ireland Co Ownership Housing Association Ltd and Another (1986, 1987).
- D&F Estates Limited and Others v Church Commissioners for England and others (1988, 1989).
- Murphy v Brentwood District Council (1990, 1991).
- Henderson and Others v Merrett Syndicates Ltd and Others (1994, 1995).
- White v Jones (1995).
- Gable House Estates Ltd v The Halpern Partnership and Another (1995).
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Sustainable development concepts decade by decade.
The regenerative structural engineer
A call for design that will repair the natural world.
Buildings that mimic the restorative aspects found in nature.
CIAT publishes Principal Designer Competency Framework
For those considering applying for registration as a PD.
BSRIA Building Reg's guidance: The second staircase
An overview focusing on aspects which most affect the building services industry.
Design codes and pattern books
Harmonious proportions and golden sections.
Introducing or next Guest Editor Arun Baybars
Practising architect and design panel review member.
Quick summary by size, shape, test, material, use or bonding.
Types of rapidly renewable content
From forestry to agricultural crops and their by-products.
Terraced houses and the public realm
The discernible difference between the public realm of detached housing and of terraced housing.
Looking back at the influence of climate events
From a designer and writer: 'There are limits to growth but no limits to development'.
Terms, histories, theories and practice.
Biophilic design and natural light
Letting in the light and natural elements into spaces.