CALEDONIA NORTH SEA LTD. v. BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS PLC | SAME v. KELVIN INTERNATIONAL SERVICES LTD. | SAME v. LONDON BRIDGE ENGINEERING LTD. | SAME v. NORTON (NO. 2) LTD. (IN LIQUIDATION) | SAME v. PICKUP NO. 7 LTD. | SAME v. STENA OFFSHORE LTD. | SAME v. WOOD GROUP ENGINEERING CONTRACTORS LTD. [2002] UKHL 4

[2002] 1 Lloyd's Rep 553

HOUSE OF LORDS

Before Lord Bingham of Cornhill, Lord Mackay of Clashfern, Lord Nicholls of Birkenhead, Lord Hoffmann and Lord Scott of Foscote

Contract - Indemnity - Subrogation - Explosion on Piper Alpha oil platform in North Sea - Operators claimed to be indemnified by contractors in respect of settlements made on death and personal injury claims of contractors’ employees - Whether operator entitled to such indemnity where contractor not liable at common law or for breach of statutory duty - Whether a subrogated claim and liability to operators discharged by payments made by insurers - Whether part of liability excluded since amount of compensation agreed was at higher level than would be awarded by Scottish Court.