"Although it is not an argument specifically led by the Claimant Sub Contractor - perhaps due to his lack of legal training - I am entitled to deal with it having been led as a defence by the Respondent Builder.
Even if that were not the case, some events - 'supervening clauses' - did occur on site leading to what is tantamount to 'frustration'. In the strict legal definition it requires external causes beyond the contemplation of the parties such as a 'force majeure' but the effects of the events on site led to an outcome consistent with 'frustration'.
Accordingly, reference to 'frustration' in the Reasons below is not done so in the strict legal sense as I might just as easily refer to this as 'interference' with the Claimant Sub Contractor's due process.
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This clause was relied on by the Respondent Builder for its position that the Claimant Sub Contractor failed to protect its work when completed.
References to alleged failure to fence off with bunting, signage, barriers and the like were canvassed with most witnesses. Where particularly relevant I have provided my determination in some of the claims below.
In global sense I find this clause to be unworkable and found that in its entirety, legally frustrated because to place the burden of protection on the Sub-contractor until Practical Completion is unconscionable, unreasonable and impracticable.
To do so would require the Sub-contractor to have greater control over subsequent visitors to the site (other trades) than the Site Supervisor.
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The Respondent Builder's closing written submission asks me to consider the related common law principles, which states: