Legal Research
Cases
James Hardie and Co Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd

James Hardie and Co Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd

Case [1997] NSWCA 164 26 September 1997

Negligence & Tort

No judgment structure available for this case.

Type to search within this case.

Court of Appeal

Supreme Court

New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: JAMES HARDIE AND CO PTY LTD v SELTSAM PTY LTD [1997] NSWCA 164
Decision date: 26 September 1997

See Attachment (PDF)

Details

AGLC: James Hardie and Co Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd [1997] NSWCA 164
Case: [1997] NSWCA 164
Decision Date: 26 September 1997

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In *James Hardie and Co Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd* [1997] NSWCA 164, the New South Wales Court of Appeal considered an appeal concerning the liability of James Hardie and Co Pty Ltd (James Hardie) to Seltsam Pty Ltd (Seltsam) for contribution or indemnity. The dispute arose from a previous judgment where Seltsam was found liable to a third party for damages caused by asbestos products manufactured by James Hardie. Seltsam sought to recover these losses from James Hardie.

The primary legal issues before the Court of Appeal were whether James Hardie owed Seltsam a duty of care in relation to the supply of asbestos products, and if so, whether James Hardie had breached that duty. The court also had to determine whether there was a causal link between any breach by James Hardie and the loss suffered by Seltsam, and whether Seltsam was entitled to an indemnity or contribution from James Hardie.

The Court of Appeal, applying principles of negligence and indemnity, found that James Hardie had a duty to warn Seltsam of the dangers associated with the asbestos products it supplied. This duty arose from the relationship between the parties and the knowledge James Hardie possessed regarding the health risks of asbestos. The court held that James Hardie breached this duty by failing to adequately warn Seltsam, and this breach was a cause of Seltsam's liability to the third party. Consequently, the court concluded that Seltsam was entitled to an indemnity from James Hardie.

Orders

Orders of the court

Full text does not contain this section.

Background

Background to the litigation

Full text does not contain this section.

Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

Full text does not contain this section.

Decision

Reasons for decision

Full text does not contain this section.

Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

Full text does not contain this section.

Actions

Citations

James Hardie and Co Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd [1997] NSWCA 164

Most Recent Citation

Wintle v Stevedoring Industry Finance Committee (No 2) [2002] VSC 294

Cases Citing This Decision

137

WJT v Trustees of the Marist Brothers; WXC3 v Trustees of the Marist Brothers; GAC v Trustees of the Marist Brothers (No 4) [2025] NSWSC 1017
Citation 1 (Para 10)

…o as to preserve the second defendant’s entitlement to pursue its claim for contribution: James Hardie & Co Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 53; [1998] HCA 78.…
Ventia Utility Services Pty Ltd (ACN 010 725 247) (Formerly Known as Thiess Services Limited) v Electricity Networks Corporation T/As Western Power [No 3] [2024] WASC 179
Citation 2 (Para 5)

…nd the purpose of the legislation of which this Act is largely a stereotype, have been fully explained in James Hardie & Co Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 53 per Gaudron and Gummow JJ at 57 ‑ 58; 59 ‑ 61; and 64 ‑ 67 and per Kirby J at 69 ‑ 70 and 75 ‑ 80. As those passages explain, at common law, as disti…
AIG Insurance Ltd v Hanna [2024] NSWCA 91
Citation 3 (Para 1)

…not proved that he was liable to Mr Hasan, or that the settlement was not objectively reasonable: [68]. James Hardie & Co Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 53; [1998] HCA 78 distinguished.…
Laurus Group Pty Ltd (admin apptd) v Mitsui & Co. (Australia) Ltd (No 2) [2023] VSC 412
Citation 4 (Para 1)

…d appropriate. Absent orders to the contrary, an order cannot be enforced until authenticated.[40] [38] James Hardie & Co Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 53; Hennes v Hobsons Bay City Council [2012] VSCA 215. [39] Groser v Equity Trustees Ltd (2008) 19 VR 598. [40] Supreme Court (General Civil Procedure) Ru…
Grain Technology Australia Ltd v Rosewood Research Pty Ltd (No 4) [2023] NSWSC 822
Citation 5 (Para 103)

…Arguably, they would have had standing to keep it alive pending final resolution of the proceedings (cf James Hardie & Co Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 53 at [20]). This question was not however raised in argument (or at least squarely so) and I do not need to determine it.…
Dopudj v FDC Construction and Fitout Pty Limited [2023] NSWSC 110
Citation 6 (Para 52)

…Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd, [1] as well as Port of Melbourne Authority v Anshun Pty Limited [2] and Tomlinson v Ramsey Food Processing Pty Limited. [3] 1. (1998) 196 CLR 53; [1998] HCA 78. 2. (1981) 147 CLR 589; [1981] HCA 45. 3. (2015) 256 CLR 507; [2015] HCA 28.…
Zheng v Ianni and Ors (No.3) [2021] NSWDC 521
Citation 7 (Para 6)

…t those defendants, which thereafter precludes the Builders from seeking contribution against the Owners [2] . 2. James Hardie & Co v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 53…
Moffett v Robin [2021] NSWDC 211
Citation 8

…son v McDonald's Australia Ltd [2014] NSWCA 162 James Hardie & Coy Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd [1998] HCA 78; (1998) 196 CLR 53 Jamsek v ZG Operations Australia Pty Ltd [2020] FCAFC 119 Jurox Pty Ltd v Fullick [2016] NSWCA 180 Kondis v State Transport Authority (1984) 154 CLR 672 Lister v Romford Ice & Cold Storage Co…
Robinson v Kentz Pty Ltd [2020] WADC 163
Citation 9 (Para 5)

…In particular, on the authority of James Hardie & Co Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 53, CBI says that the dismissal of the plaintiff's claim against it means that it is not 'a tortfeasor who is or would if sued have been liable in respect of the same damage' for the purpose of s 7 of the Contribution Act.…
Levi Jake Saunders by his Next Friend Claire Marie Matthews v Turner [2020] WADC 133
Citation 10 (Para 17)

…Elliott v Diener (1978) 21 ACTR 21, 22 (Blackburn J); Sergi [40]. [92] See generally: James Hardie & Coy Limited v Seltsam Pty Limited [1998] HCA 78; (1998) 196 CLR 53, 62 Gaudron & Gummow JJ); Wintle v Stevedoring Industry Finance Committee [2002] VSC 369 [10] - [23] (Ashley J).…
The Owners - Strata Plan No 87231 v 3A Composites GmbH (No 3) [2020] FCA 748
Citation 11 (Para 20)

…211) and as being “notorious for the conceptual and practical difficulties it engenders”: James Hardie & Coy Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 53; [1998] HCA 78 at [7]; see Rahul Arora, ‘Contribution between wrongdoers of mixed liability: Discerning the role of equity and statute’ (2018) 45 Australian Bar Re…
ML and BK Bush v Tyrepower Limited [2020] NSWDC 36
Citation 12 (Para 20)

…nd the mechanism for its enforcement are found in s5(2) LRMPA. The requirements should be kept distinct: James Hardie & Coy Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 53 at [24] per Gaudron and Gummow JJ.…
Wealth Psychology Pty Ltd at Trustee for the PRIVATE TRUST t/as Taxation Strategies & Accounting Services v Morhall [2019] WADC 149
Citation 13 (Para 2)

…aintiff's submissions at par 42 - par 42. [50] Plaintiff's submissions at par 44 - par 45, relying on James Hardie & Co Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 53, 62.…
Zablotsky and Secretary, Department of Social Services (Social services second review) [2019] AATA 4367
Citation 14 (Para 14)

…en drawn to the defect. 87. Lord Diplock’s test has also been adopted in James Hardie & Coy Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Limited [1998] HCA 78 ; (1998) 196 CLR 53 at [73] (Kirby J) and Mills v Meeking [1990] HCA 6 ; (1990) 169 CLR 214 at 244 (McHugh J). It has many times been applied (directly or by application of McHugh J…
Masson v Parsons [2019] HCA 21
Citation 15 (Para 1)

…and Arbitration; Ex parte Barrett (1945) 70 CLR 141 at 165‑166 per Dixon J; [1945] HCA 50 and James Hardie & Coy Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 53 at 64‑65 [22]‑[24] per Gaudron and Gummow JJ; [1998] HCA 78. [28] Rizeq (2017) 262 CLR 1 at 36 [90] per Bell, Gageler, Keane, Nettle and Gordon JJ.…
CCA19 v Secretary, Department of Home Affairs [2019] FCA 946
Citation 16 (Para 6)

…on if its attention had been drawn to the defect. 87Lord Diplock’s test has also been adopted in James Hardie & Coy Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Limited (1998) 196 CLR 53 at [73] (Kirby J) and Mills v Meeking (1990) 169 CLR 214 at 244 (McHugh J). It has many times been applied (directly or by application of McHugh J in New…
Seltsam Pty Ltd v Amaca Pty Limited [2019] VSC 312
Citation 17

…[5](1998) 196 CLR 53.…
Harford v Hallmark Construction Pty Ltd [2019] NSWSC 371
Citation 18 (Para 3)

…bility to prosecute its cross-claim against Copeland, thus avoiding the effect of the decision in James Hardie and Co v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 53; [1998] HCA 78.…
Le v Brown, Nguyen v Brown; Tran v Brown; Monica v Brown; Huggett v Brown (No.2) [2019] NSWSC 88
Citation 19

…Mangarelli [2013] NSWCA 413; (2013) 65 MVR 480 Elbourne v Gibbs [2006] NSWCA 127 James Hardie & Co Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd [1998] HCA 78; (1998) 196 CLR 53 Kondis v State Transport Authority [1984] HCA 61; (1984) 154 CLR 672 Le v Brown [2017] NSWSC 162 Le v Brown; Nguyen v Brown; Tran v Brown; Monica v Brown; Hugg…
Tanioria v Commonwealth of Australia (No 3) [2018] FCA 1623
Citation 20 (Para 30)

…(1)(c), with s 5(2), creates a claim for contribution which did not exist at common law – see: James Hardie & Coy Pty Limited v Seltsam Pty Limited (1998) 196 CLR 53. The claim for contribution is a cause of action which is independent of the cause of action which the injured party has or had against the tortfeasor…
Cuthbert v Moreton Bay Regional Council No. 2 [2018] QPEC 40
Citation 21

…3. Darwen & Anor v Pacific Reef Fisheries (Australia) Pty Ltd & Ors [2009] QPELR 262 James Hardie & Coy Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 53. Kingston v Keprose Pty Ltd (1987) 11 NSWLR 404. Loader v Moreton Bay Regional Council [2013] QCA 269. Newcastle City Council v GIO General Ltd (1997) 191 CLR 85. R v PL…
Damm v Coastwide Site Services Pty Ltd [2017] NSWSC 1361
Citation 22 (Para 51)

…In James Hardie & Co Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd [1998] HCA 78; (1998) 196 CLR 53, Callinan J at [98] describes the issue which in part falls for consideration on these Motions in this way:…
Credit Corp Services Pty Limited v Tang [2017] QDC 247
Citation 23 (Para 1)

…its widest sense ...”.[22] [20] Newcastle City Council v GIO General Ltd (1997) 191 CLR 85, 113; James Hardie & Coy Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 53, 82; R v Young (1999) 46 NSWLR 681, 687, 690, 740; R v PLV (2001) 51 NSWLR 736, 743-744; Ravenscroft v Nominal Defendant [2008] 2 Qd R 32, 51. [21] Alcan (NT…
Libra Collaroy Pty Ltd v Bhide [2017] NSWCA 196
Citation 24 (Para 279)

…authorities were cited for that submission nor, in response, did Elders address its legal merits. 122. James Hardie & Co Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 53; [1998] HCA 78 (at [35]) per Gaudron and Gummow JJ; (at [80]) per Kirby J.…
Jaron Holdings Pty Limited v Amaca Pty Limited [2017] NSWDDT 4
Citation 25 (Para 37)

…fendant is just as effective to absolve it from liability as a judgment on the merits – James Hardie & Coy Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd [1998] HCA 78; (1998) 196 CLR 53.…
Gibbs v Haoma Mining NL [No 6] [2017] WADC 67
Citation 26 (Para 1)

…demnity against IAL had the effect of a formal judgment of the claim on its merits, citing James Hardie & Co Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd [1998] HCA 78; (1998) 196 CLR 53 and Baxter v Obachelo Pty Ltd [2001] HCA 66. It was submitted that there were no grounds for setting aside the consent order and that the plaintiff w…
Power Rental Op Co Australia, LLC v Forge Group Power Pty Ltd (in liq) (receivers and managers appointed) [2017] NSWCA 8
Citation 27 (Para 87)

…ing as the determinative factor of whether regard may be had to extrinsic materials has been doubted (see James Hardie & Co Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 53; [1998] HCA 78 at 76-7 (Kirby J in dissent, with whose judgment McHugh J agreed)). Basten JA in Shorten v David Hurst Constructions Pty Ltd (2008) 72…
Di Paolo v Salta Constructions Pty Ltd (No 2) [2016] VSC 741
Citation 28 (Para 1)

…tion defence, when orders are made and entered accordingly, the claimant tortfeasor had no right of contribution against the target tortfeasor.[9] [8](1998) 196 CLR 53. [9] Clutha v Millar (No 4) [2002] NSWC 703 [22] and [28].…
DPP v Scheele [2016] ACTCA 23
Citation 29 (Para 1)

…McHugh JA); R v Young (1999) 46 NSWLR 681 at 687-688 [15]-[16] (per Spigelman CJ). As Kirby J put it in James Hardie and Co Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 53 at 82 [73], “unless driven to the result by unyielding words, no judicial satisfaction is to be derived from concluding that the manifest target of l…
Teys Australia Beenleigh Pty Ltd v Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union (No 2) [2016] FCA 2
Citation 30

…ibution [2000] 1 WLR 586 at 592; [2000] 2 All ER 109 James Hardie & Coy Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Limited (1998) 196 CLR 53 Jones v Wrotham Park Estates [1980] AC 74 Kucks v CSR Limited (1996) 66 IR 182 Mills v Meeking (1990) 169 CLR 214 Newcastle City Council v GIO General Limited (1997) 191 CLR 85 Project Blue Sky Inc…
Ward v Butler T/as GUTTERSHIELD Australia [2015] WADC 66
Citation 31 (Para 3)

…that Monger House Pty Ltd is not a 'tortfeasor who is or would if sued have been liable': James Hardie & Co Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd [1998] HCA 78; (1998) 196 CLR 53.…
Kazas-Rogaris v Gaddam [2014] NSWSC 1465
Citation 32 (Para 1)

…This was not a situation such as was considered in James Hardie and Co Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 53 where another party was effectively shut out by entry of a judgment involving two other parties without the agreement of the affected party. Removing Mr Haj from the proceedings had no impact at all upo…
Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v BlueScope Steel Ltd [2014] NSWCA 276
Citation 33

…East India Co (1787) 1 TR 638; 99 ER 1295 ICM Agriculture Pty Ltd v Perry [2002] NSWCA 257 James Hardie & Co Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd [1998] HCA 78; (1998) 196 CLR 53 King v Caltex Petroleum Pty Ltd [2013] NSWDDT 4 Kodak (Australasia) Pty Ltd v Retail Traders Association [1942] SR (NSW) 231 Kweifio-Okai v RMIT Univ…
Smith v Marshall [2014] WASC 185
Citation 34

…NSWCA 38; (2003) 56 NSWLR 276 Harvey v John Fairfax Publications Pty Ltd [2005] NSWCA 255 James Hardie & Coy Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd [1998] HCA 78; (1998) 196 CLR 53 Johnson v Gore Wood & Co (a firm) [2000] UKHL 65; [2002] 2 AC 1 Kenyon v Sabatino [2013] WASC 76 Lambert v Thomson [1937] OR 341 Lange v Australian B…
Sutherland v Jatkar [2014] FCA 532
Citation 35 (Para 6)

…) has been described as peculiar and anomalous: Port of Melbourne Authority v Anshun Pty Ltd (1981) 147 CLR 589, 595-6; James Hardy v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 53, 66; Arthur Young v Brunswick NL [1999] 1 VR 387, 396. Joint tortfeasors may not have direct claims against each other in respect of a joint liabilit…
Prodanovich v Mukherjee [2013] NSWSC 1833
Citation 36 (Para 1)

…The High Court in James Hardie & Co v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 53, made clear at [62] and [63], that another party to the proceedings was entitled to be notified and, if necessary, heard on any application for a judgment that would preclude that party from pursuing the Defendant against whom judgment was to be…
McMahon v Permanent Custodians Ltd [2013] NSWCA 275
Citation 37 (Para 18)

…islature with their own has been long recognised ( Thompson v Goold & Co [1910] AC 409 at 420 per Lord Mercy). In James Hardie & Co Pty Ltd v Seltsam (1998) 196 CLR 53 at [73] Kirby J said: In Jones v Wrotham Park Settled Estates [Lord Diplock] made it clear that, if the application of the literal or grammatical mea…
Bluescope Steel Limited v Allianz Australia Limited [2013] NSWDDT 3
Citation 38 (Para 1)

…Her views on this matter do not determine this issue, but the case of James Hardie v Seltsam (1998) 196 CLR 53 gives support to the view she expressed concerning the fact that there was no evidence to mount a cross claim.…
Perth Airport Pty Ltd v Ridgepoint Corporation Pty Ltd [2013] WASC 33
Citation 39

…ia Ltd v Metana Minerals NL (1991) 11 WAR 435 J C Williamson Ltd v Lukey (1931) 45 CLR 282 James Hardie & Co Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd [1998] HCA 78; (1998) 196 CLR 53 Janssen‑Cilag Pty Ltd v Pfizer Pty Ltd (1992) 37 FCR 526 Maggbury Pty Ltd v Hafele Australia Pty Ltd [2001] HCA 70; (2001) 210 CLR 181 McCourt v Cran…
Stojkoski v Belconnen Concrete Pty Ltd [2013] ACTSC 13
Citation 40

…t in arriving at a judgment as to what is just and equitable: Pennington v Norris (1956) 96 CLR 10 at 16; James Hardie & Co Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 53 at 83 [79] per Kirby J with whom McHugh J agreed. Within the exercise of that broad discretionary judgment the Court is required to compare the culpa…
Police v Holloway; Police v Vithoulkas [2013] SASC 2
Citation 41 (Para 10)

…oohey and Gummow JJ); Newcastle City Council v GIO General Ltd (1997) 191 CLR 85, 112 (McHugh J); James Hardie & Co Pty Limited v Seltsam Pty Limited (1998) 196 CLR 53, 76-77 (Kirby J). [37] D C Pearce and R S Geddes, Statutory Interpretation in Australia (LexisNexis, 7 th ed, 2011) 75, 78.…
Idameneo (No 123) Pty Ltd v Gross [2012] NSWCA 423
Citation 42 (Para 1)

…or did it found a right at general law). Campbell J's conclusion was supported by references to dicta in James Hardie & Coy Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 53 and Austral Pacific Group Ltd (in liq) v Airservices Australia (2002) 203 CLR 136 (where it was observed that no right to contribution existed at com…
Newcrest Mining Ltd v Thornton [2012] HCA 60
Citation 43 (Para 6)

…[35][1971] 2 QB 651 at 657. [36][1962] NZLR 44. [37][1967] NILR 62 at 71 per Lord MacDermott LCJ, Curran LJ agreeing at 71, 79 per McVeigh LJ. [38](1998) 196 CLR 53; [1998] HCA 78. [39](1998) 196 CLR 53 at 65 [25] citing Brambles Construction Pty Ltd v Helmers (1966) 144 CLR 213 at 221; [1966] HCA 3.…
Mercedes Holdings Pty Ltd v Waters (No 6) [2012] FCA 1412
Citation 44 (Para 1)

…where the entry of the judgment would extinguish the claim of a remaining party against another party: see James Hardie Co Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 53 at [19] – [20], [41] and [133]; see also Cockatoo Dockyards Pty Ltd v The Commonwealth of Australia [2001] NSWCA 468 at [23].…
Wardle v Agricultural and Rural Finance Pty Ltd (No 2) [2012] NSWCA 388
Citation 45 (Para 17)

…Consistency with James Hardie & Coy Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd [1998] HCA 78; (1998) 196 CLR 53 would require, if an identical case were heard in New South Wales today, that the gas company have appealed against the judgment in favour of the mining company (at [20]). However, if that step were taken, it would be open…
Marine and Civil Construction Company Pty Ltd v SGS Australia Pty Ltd [2012] FCA 907
Citation 46 (Para 7)

…s of reducing the liability of SGS. Marine & Civil relied upon the decision of the High Court in James Hardie & Coy Pty Limited v Seltsam Pty Limited (1998) 196 CLR 53 ( Seltsam ) as authority for the proposition that if a claim had been dismissed by judgment against the defendant, the defendant the subject of the j…
470 St Kilda Road Pty Ltd v Reed Constructions Australia Pty Ltd [2012] VSC 235
Citation 47

…ecting a defect or omission which had been overlooked by parliament. Moreover, as Kirby J pointed out in James Hardie & Coy Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 53, his Lordship made it plain that that possibility only arises "if the application of the literal or grammatical meaning would lead to a result which…
Crump v New South Wales [2012] HCA 20
Citation 48 (Para 9)

…be seen as attracting the exercise of judicial power." [88](2004) 223 CLR 513 at 529 [32]‑[33]. [89] James Hardie & Coy Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 53 at 64‑65 [22]‑[24]; [1998] HCA 78.…
R v CB; MP v R [2011] NSWCCA 264
Citation 49

…ny v Pilbara Harbour Services Pty Limited (1986) 160 CLR 626, 670-2 per Brennan J and 679-80 per Deane J, James Hardie & Co Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 53, 63 per Gaudron and Gummow JJ, Kelly v Newcastle Protective Coating Pty Ltd [1973] 2 NSWLR 45, 52-3, and Taren Point Bowling and Recreation Club v Sh…
High Court Bulletin [2011] HCAB 9
Citation 50

…g to allow applicant's claims against respondents — Effect of s 151E of WC Act — Application of James Hardie & Co v Seltsam (1998) 196 CLR 53.…

See all citing cases →

Cases Cited

0

No cases cited.

Legislation Cited

0

No legislation cited in this judgment.