Cases - Partridge v Morris

Record details

Name

Partridge v Morris

Date

[1995]

Citation

EGCS 158

Keywords

Contract administration

Summary

The defendant architect was engaged by the claimant, a homeowner, in respect of renovation works at the claimant's property. The defendant recommended a firm of contractors who failed to complete the contract works. As a result, the claimant was obliged to appoint third party contractors to finish off the job at an increased cost.

The court held that an architect's duty to advise on tenders extended to advising on the merits and financial acceptability of each tender. These were matters on which the claimant required advice, especially as there were no other members on the project team. The court also drew support for this analysis from considering the RIBA Architect's Job Book, which states that upon return of tenders, an architect should 'discreetly check' the financial status of the relevant building firms.