Albion Projects Pty Ltd v Simpson & Anor [2013] QCAT 617

CITATION: Albion Projects Pty Ltd v Simpson & Anor [2013] QCAT 617 PARTIES: Albion Projects Pty Ltd (Applicant) v Jonathon Simpson & Kim Simpson (Respondents) APPLICATION NUMBER: BDL104 -13 MATTER TYPE: Building matters HEARING DATE: On the Papers HEARD AT: Brisbane DECISION OF: Member Gardiner DELIVERED ON: 12 November 2013 DELIVERED AT: Brisbane ORDERS MADE: 1. The application for miscellaneous matters being a joinder application filed on 4 October 2013 in these proceedings is dismissed. CATCHWORDS: BUILDING - Joinder of Parties – parties whose interests may be effected by the proceedings - there must be some utility or purpose in the joinder to exercise the discretion - discretion to join not exercised Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2009 s 42 Coral Homes Qld Pty Ltd v QBSA (No 2) [2012] QCAT 242 followed APPEARANCES and REPRESENTATION (if any): This matter was heard and determined on the papers pursuant to s 32 of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2009 (QCAT Act). -- 1 of 3 -- 2 REASONS FOR DECISION [1] Jonathon and Kim Simpson have applied to join Slate and Stone Products Pty Ltd to these proceedings. [2] The Simpson entered into a contract with Albion Projects Pty Ltd for the construction of their home at Hamilton. Albion Projects commenced proceedings against the Simpsons for monies it says are outstanding under the contract. Part of that contract involved the installation, cleaning, sealing and protecting of magnus basalt tiles commonly called bluestone tiles. [3] Jonathon and Kim Simpson replied and counterclaimed, in part because of white marks and discolouration that began to appear on the bluestone tiles. Jonathon and Kim Simpson say that Albion Projects failed in their installation, cleaning, sealing and protecting of these tiles. Albion Projects denies this allegation. [4] Jonathon and Kim Simpson have now applied to join Slate and Stone Products Pty Ltd as the third party supplier of the bluestone tiles. The Simpsons say this allows them to seek redress if this Tribunal relieves Albion Projects of liability by reason of any physical or chemical characteristics of the tiles. [5] Parties are joined under section 42 of the QCAT Act. That section allows a party to be joined if the Tribunal considers the person should be bound by or have the benefit of a decision of the Tribunal or the person’s interests may be affected or for any other reason it is desirable that the person be joined. [6] Slate and Stone Products admits that the discretionary power of QCAT to order a joinder has been enlivened by the application but seeks this Tribunal not to exercise that discretion contained in section 42.1 [7] Slate and Stone Products opposes this joinder application saying that the tiles were supplied to Albion Projects and consequently Slate and Stone Products has no contact with the Simpsons and further, they were only on- supplying the tiles and the original supplier was S & N Bros Pty Ltd whom they would seek to join if they became a party to these proceedings. [8] Of course Jonathon and Kim Simpson must first prove a defect. Then the issue of whether it was the installation of the tiles or some defect inherent in the tiles themselves is a matter of fact for the hearing. Arguably if there is a defect in the tiles it will be found in one of these two broad areas. [9] If damage is proven, the Simpson’s argue it is desirable that all parties that potentially carry liable for that damage can be bound by the decision so that further costly actions become unnecessary. 1 Comfortable Homes Pty Ltd v QBSA [2001] QBT 61 applied in Coral Homes Qld Pty Ltd v QBSA [2012] QCAT 715 at [30]. -- 2 of 3 -- 3 [10] I am not satisfied that Slate and Stone Products should be joined on this basis. The argument remains primarily between the builder and the home owner. It is drawing a long bow to say the supplier should be there just in case the primary argument is not successful. It may also be, as Slate and Stone Products submits, that the proper remedy may lie with the importer, not the supplier. [11] I agree with and adopt the comments of the learned Senior Member in Coral Homes Qld Pty Ltd v QBSA (No 2)2 that there must be some utility or purpose in the joinder to exercise the discretion.3 I am not persuaded these circumstances exist in this matter. [12] The joinder application is dismissed. 2 Coral Homes Qld Pty Ltd v QBSA (No 2) [2012] QCAT 242 beginning at [5]. 3 Ibid at [11]. -- 3 of 3 --