The University of Southampton has brought a £100,000 High Court damages claim against Drake & Kannemeyer, following an allegedly incompetent asbestos inspection of the university buildings.
The university is suing the inspection firm for breach of contract, negligence, negligent misstatement and breach of warranty.
The claim states that, after the inspection had been carried out, Drake & Kannemeyer confirmed, by draft reports in June 1997 and October 1997, and by a final report on 29 May 1998, that the buildings were free from asbestos, or posed little risk of harm.
However, the claimant contends that the buildings did, in fact, contain asbestos, and that urgent remedial work was required to remove the asbestos.
References: EGi Legal News 17/11/03
