To what extent are subsequent purchasers of commercial buildings in Australia protected against pure economic loss arising from latent defects in those buildings?

摘要

On appeal from Queensland's Court of Appeal, the High Court of Australia concluded in April 2004 that a subsequent purchaser of a commercial building in Queensland could not maintain proceedings (against the building's original project engineers) for pure economic loss arising from latent defects in that building. This article reviews the High Court of Australia's decision in Woolcock Street Investments Pty Ltd v CDG Pty Ltd and its implications on industry participants.