Whiteleys (A Firm) v Trafalgar Consultancy Ltd

Whiteleys (A Firm) v Trafalgar Consultancy Ltd

The proper measure of damages is the difference between the contract price calculated on a 52-week year and that on a 53-week year, as this reflects the instructions actually pleaded and proved. The appellant is entitled to £90,933 plus interest, not the higher sums claimed under alternative methods not supported by the pleadings.

Parties
Claimant/respondent: Whiteleys (A Firm); Defendant/appellant: Trafalgar Consultancy Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
05 May 2006
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Court of Appeal Judgment
Outcome
Appeal allowed in part
Legal Topics
Measure of Damages, Breach of Duty, Instructions to Professional Advisors

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Whiteleys (A Firm)

Claimant/respondent

Trafalgar Consultancy Limited

Defendant/appellant

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Court of Appeal Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the respondent breached its duty of care in preparing tender calculations by failing to include double time for bank holidays as instructed
  2. 2 What is the proper measure of damages for the breach

Ratio Decidendi

The proper measure of damages is the difference between the contract price calculated on a 52-week year and that on a 53-week year, as this reflects the instructions actually pleaded and proved. The appellant is entitled to £90,933 plus interest, not the higher sums claimed under alternative methods not supported by the pleadings.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed in part

Orders

  • Judgment on the counterclaim for £90,933 plus interest
  • Counsel to agree the figure for interest for the final order