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Tort: Occupiers' Liability

Independent contractors and the occupier's position

  • 3 things to know
  • Components 2 and 3

Overview

The section 2(4)(b) escape and its three conditions, Haseldine on technical work an occupier cannot check and Woodward on work an occupier can, and what Bottomley added about competence.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What does section 2(4)(b) of the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957 provide?

Key term

State the three conditions in section 2(4)(b) of the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957.

Key term

What did Haseldine v CA Daw and Son Ltd [1941] decide?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What does section 2(4)(b) of the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957 provide?

    Model answer

    Section 2(4)(b) allows an occupier to escape liability for the faulty work of an independent contractor. The occupier must have behaved reasonably in three respects for the defence to succeed.

  2. 2

    State the three conditions in section 2(4)(b) of the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957.

    Model answer

    It must have been reasonable to entrust the work to a contractor at all. The occupier must have taken reasonable steps to check that the contractor was competent. The occupier must also have taken reasonable steps, where possible, to check the work was properly done.

  3. 3

    What did Haseldine v CA Daw and Son Ltd [1941] decide?

    Model answer

    A visitor was injured when a lift fell after negligent servicing by a specialist firm. The court held the occupier not liable, because lift maintenance is technical work properly left to specialists.

  4. 4

    What did Woodward v Mayor of Hastings [1945] decide?

    Model answer

    A pupil slipped on an icy step that a cleaner had left in a dangerous state. The court held the occupier liable, because clearing a step needs no technical knowledge and should have been checked.

  5. 5

    What distinguishes Haseldine from Woodward?

    Model answer

    Technical work that an occupier cannot judge may reasonably be left entirely to the contractor. Simple work is different, because the occupier is able to inspect it and must do so.

  6. 6

    How can an occupier show that a contractor was competent?

    Model answer

    An occupier can check trade qualifications, membership of a professional body and references. Checking that the contractor carries public liability insurance is also good evidence of care.

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