Sheehan v Watson - [2010] 2 NZLR 419

Insurance — Property insurance — Fire caused by employees of lessee — Statute exonerating lessee from liability where lessor insured — Whether employee of lessee exonerated from liability — Property Law Act 2007, ss 268 and 269.

Landlord and tenant — Insurance — Fire caused by employees of lessee — Lessee indemnified by lessor’s insurance — Statute exonerating lessee from liability to lessor — Whether employee of lessee exonerated from liability — Property Law Act 2007, ss 268 and 269.

Tort — Negligence — Duty of care — Fire caused by employees of lessee — Lessee indemnified by lessor’s insurance — Statute exonerating lessee from liability to lessor — Whether employee owing duty of care to lessor — Property Law Act 2007, ss 268 and 269.

Statutes — Interpretation — Reading in of qualifying words to avoid frustration of statutory purpose — Property Law Act 2007, s 269.