Chalmers Leask Underwriting Agencies v Mayne Nickless Ltd [1983] HCA 20

Chalmers Leask Underwriting Agencies v Mayne Nickless Ltd [1983] HCA 20

The exclusion in clause (iii) of the insurance policy is limited by its own terms to 'the part immediately affected,' which in this case was at most the coffer dam. Since the claim was not for loss or damage to the coffer dam but to other works, and the exclusion does not apply to such consequential damage, the exclusion clause does not prevent recovery by the insured.

Jurisdiction
Australia
Procedural Posture
Appeal / High Court Judgment
Outcome
appeal dismissed with costs
Legal Topics
['construction of Exclusion Clauses' "contractors' Risks Insurance" 'policy Interpretation']

Case Brief

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Procedural Posture

Appeal / High Court Judgment

  1. 1 ['Whether loss or damage suffered by the respondent was excluded by clause (iii) of the insurance policy' 'Interpretation of the limiting provision in clause (iii)']

Ratio Decidendi

The exclusion in clause (iii) of the insurance policy is limited by its own terms to 'the part immediately affected,' which in this case was at most the coffer dam. Since the claim was not for loss or damage to the coffer dam but to other works, and the exclusion does not apply to such consequential damage, the exclusion clause does not prevent recovery by the insured.

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed with costs

Orders

  • ['appeal dismissed with costs']