Supreme Court rules contractor can claim maximum of €15.3m on deal

THE Supreme Court has ruled a binding contract exists under which a building contractor was to be paid a maximum €15.3 million to construct a housing scheme in Co Wicklow.

The three judge court yesterday overturned a High Court finding there was “no concluded contract” between McCabe Builders (Dublin) (MCB) and three companies in the Hanly Group of companies — Sagamu Developments, Laragan Developments and Hanly Group — relating to construction of the housing scheme at Rocky Valley, Kilmacanogue.

The result of the High Court decision was both sides were left with the uncertainty of an unquantified claim, the Supreme Court said. If there were no contract, there was no reason to limit MCB to the e15.3m sum set out in documents and the entitlement to payment was to be assessed on a merit basis.