Persimmon Homes Ltd v Ove Arup & Partners Ltd & Anor

Persimmon Homes Ltd v Ove Arup & Partners Ltd & Anor

The exemption clauses in the 2009 agreement and warranties exclude liability for all claims relating to asbestos, including negligence. The wording is clear and unambiguous, and neither the contra proferentem rule nor the Canada Steamship guidelines alter this interpretation.

Parties
Appellant / Claimant: Persimmon Homes Limited; Appellant / Claimant: Taylor Wimpey UK Limited; Appellant / Claimant: BDW Trading Limited; Respondent / Defendant: Ove Arup & Partners Limited; Respondent / Defendant: Ove Arup & Partners International Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
25 May 2017
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Appeal Judgment
Outcome
Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Exemption Clauses, Professional Indemnity Insurance, Negligence, Allocation of Risk, Contra Proferentem Rule
Contract Law Construction Law Exemption Clauses Professional Indemnity Insurance Negligence Allocation of Risk Contra Proferentem Rule

Case Brief

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Parties

Persimmon Homes Limited

Appellant / Claimant

Taylor Wimpey UK Limited

Appellant / Claimant

BDW Trading Limited

Appellant / Claimant

Ove Arup & Partners Limited

Respondent / Defendant

Ove Arup & Partners International Limited

Respondent / Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Appeal Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the exemption clauses exclude liability for negligence relating to asbestos
  2. 2 Interpretation of 'liability for any claim in relation to asbestos is excluded'
  3. 3 Applicability of contra proferentem rule and Canada Steamship guidelines

Ratio Decidendi

The exemption clauses in the 2009 agreement and warranties exclude liability for all claims relating to asbestos, including negligence. The wording is clear and unambiguous, and neither the contra proferentem rule nor the Canada Steamship guidelines alter this interpretation.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Appeal dismissed; exemption clauses upheld; Arup not liable for claims relating to asbestos.