SCOTT & OTHERS v EAR SHEPPARD CONSULTING CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS LTD

[2016] EWHC 1949 (TCC), Technology and Construction Court, Fraser J, 27 July 2016

Professional negligence - Civil and structural engineers - Defendant negligent in not informing claimants that property may require to be demolished

The claimants were three members of a family who brought a claim in negligence against the defendant firm of civil and structural engineers arising out of the purchase by the claimants of a property in Hastings. The defendant inspected and reported on the property prior to its purchase by the claimants. The claimants subsequently started to do some construction work on the property when it was halted by the local authority, which had concerns about the structural condition of the property. These concerns led to the demolition of the building and the construction of a replacement property. In these circumstances the claimant brought an action against the defendant in which it was alleged that the defendant had been negligent in carrying out an inspection of the property and in providing a report of that inspection to the claimants. The defendants disputed liability, principally on the ground that it submitted that it had not fallen short of the standard of care required of it.