Southern Gas Networks Plc v Thames Water Utilities Ltd

Southern Gas Networks Plc v Thames Water Utilities Ltd

FSG payments are not recoverable under Section 82(1)(b) NRSWA 1991 as they are not expenses incurred in making good damage to apparatus, but are regulatory compensation for supply interruption. Section 82 forms a complete code, precluding recovery of damages in negligence for the same subject matter.

Parties
Claimant: Southern Gas Networks Plc; Defendant: Thames Water Utilities Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
04 July 2016
Procedural Posture
Civil / Judgment After Trial
Outcome
Claim dismissed as to FSG payments; common law negligence claim excluded.
Legal Topics
Statutory Interpretation, Strict Liability, Exclusion of Common Law Remedies, Damages, Street Works, Water Ingress, Failure to Supply Gas Payments

Case Brief

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Parties

Southern Gas Networks Plc

Claimant

Thames Water Utilities Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil / Judgment After Trial

  1. 1 Are Failure to Supply Gas (FSG) payments recoverable under Section 82(1)(b) of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991?
  2. 2 Does Section 82 of the NRSWA 1991 form a complete code, thereby excluding recovery of damages in negligence?

Ratio Decidendi

FSG payments are not recoverable under Section 82(1)(b) NRSWA 1991 as they are not expenses incurred in making good damage to apparatus, but are regulatory compensation for supply interruption. Section 82 forms a complete code, precluding recovery of damages in negligence for the same subject matter.

Court Disposition

Claim dismissed as to FSG payments; common law negligence claim excluded.