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The range of surveyors' negligence cases handled by members of
Keating Chambers is extensive. Advice and representation
provided has involved building surveying, quantity and
construction, commercial property, dispute resolution, environment
and planning development. For Keating Chambers' experience of
valuation or project managment issues, often carried out by
surveyors, see the Valuers’ Duties and Project Managers’ Duties sections.
The landmark cases of Copthorne Hotel v
Arup [1997] 58 Con LR 105 and Georg
Fischer Holdings v Multi-Design Consultants [1998] 61 Con LR
55 arose from actions brought against quantity surveyors (amongst
other parties) following significant cost overruns. In both cases,
members of Keating Chambers appeared as counsel.
More recently, a Chambers team appeared in the Technology and
Construction Court in Catline Estates Ltd v
Carter Jonas [2005] EWHC 2315 on behalf of the client in an
action against the defendant building surveyors arising from a
prestigious shooting-lodge development in the North East of
England. The action was successfully completed and an order
for indemnity costs obtained.
Chambers attracts instructions on the basis of its considerable
experience and expertise: seven members hold engineering and
construction qualifications (including a first-class degree in
building surveying). All members of Chambers are specialists in
construction matters and many undertake significant professional
negligence work.
Current or recent surveyors' negligence work includes the
following:
- defending a firm of surveyors in the trial of a claim brought
by owners arising out of restoration works to a 400-year-old
cottage seriously damaged by fire.
- dealing with a claim against a quantity surveyor arising out of
the development of a Leeds shopping centre.
- dealing with claims and adjudications against quantity
surveyors for negligent estimating in advance of project
commencement.
- Plymouth and South West Co-operative
Society – Architecture Structure & Management [2006]
EWHC 5. A Chambers team represented the defendants, a quantity
surveying practice, who were sued by their clients in respect of an
overspend on the redevelopment of the Co-op’s flagship Plymouth
store, which was alleged to have increased the cost by some £1.4
million.
As well as dealing with case work, our members maintain strong
links with the surveying profession in other respects. Two members
co-authored the ‘Party Walls’ title for the RICS Books ‘Case in
Point’ series, and four others are completing titles in the same
series. Keating Chambers’ Director of Research, Professor Anthony
Lavers MRICS is Consultant Editor to this series. The Lloyds of
London Press ‘Professional Negligence’ title section on Negligence
by Quantity Surveyors (and Architects and Engineers) was undertaken
by members of Chambers. Members are also in demand for speaking
engagements: senior members were keynote speakers at the joint
RICS/Society of Construction Law Conferences at Derby (October
2005) and Leeds (March 2006).
Further InformationFor further information on how our members can assist you, please contact the Senior Clerks,
John Munton and
Nick Child, in the first instance, on +44(0)20 7544 2600. They and their teams of Clerks will be pleased to advise you on the member of Keating Chambers appropriate to your requirements.