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Greaves & Co (Contractors) Ltd v Baynham Meikle & Partners [1975] 1 WLR 1095

Facts: Consultant engineers were instructed to design a warehouse which they knew was to be used for storing drums of oil that would be moved around by fork-lift trucks. The warehouse was built to the engineers’ design but after a few months’ use the first floor began to crack because it was not strong enough to bear the loads imposed on it. The contractor who employed the engineers made a claim against them alleging that they had impliedly warranted that their design would produce a building fit for its intended use.


Held: Despite recognising that a professional man does not normally undertake an unqualified obligation to produce the desired result, the exchanges between the parties were such as to give rise to an implied term that the warehouse as designed would be fit for the purpose for which it was required. Those who provide professional services do not generally give an unqualified undertaking to produce the desired result.


Held (Lord Denning MR): "Apply this to the employment of a professional man. The law does not usually imply a warranty that he will achieve the desired result, but only a term that he will use reasonable care and skill. The surgeon does not warrant that he will cure the patient. Nor does the solicitor warrant that he will win the case."

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