Dewea & Anor v Roucou Construction (Pty) (CS 17/1999) [2003] SCSC 10 (27 March 2003)

Dewea & Anor v Roucou Construction (Pty) (CS 17/1999) [2003] SCSC 10 (27 March 2003)

The Defendant company is liable for the trespass and damage caused to the Plaintiffs' land by the acts of its sub-contractor and operator, as the work was performed under the Defendant's instructions and within the scope of employment, and the Defendant cannot evade liability by treating the sub-contractor as independent.

Citation
[2003] SCSC 10
Parties
Plaintiff: Dewea & Or; Defendant: Roucou Construction (Pty)
Court
Supreme Court
Jurisdiction
Seychelles
Judgment Date
27 March 2003
Case Number
CS 17/1999
Procedural Posture
Delictual Action (civil) / Judgment at First Instance
Outcome
Judgment for the Plaintiffs
Legal Topics
Trespass, Vicarious Liability, Damages
Source Language
English

Case Brief

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Parties

Dewea & Or

Plaintiff

Roucou Construction (Pty)

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Delictual Action (civil) / Judgment at First Instance

  1. 1 Whether the Defendant is liable for trespass and consequential loss caused to the Plaintiffs' property by excavation works
  2. 2 Whether the Defendant can evade liability by claiming the work was done by an independent contractor

Ratio Decidendi

The Defendant company is liable for the trespass and damage caused to the Plaintiffs' land by the acts of its sub-contractor and operator, as the work was performed under the Defendant's instructions and within the scope of employment, and the Defendant cannot evade liability by treating the sub-contractor as independent.

Court Disposition

Judgment for the Plaintiffs

Orders

  • Plaintiffs awarded R60,625 in damages, with interest and costs