Product Liability - Latest Developments In Ongoing Pyrite Saga

Originally published in the Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Newsletter Winter 2011.

Potential changes to Ireland's sale of goods legislation are unlikely to impact on the ongoing pyrite cases. It has been alleged that, during Ireland's Celtic Tiger construction boom, some of the stone infill used in the foundations of houses and other buildings, contained too much of the mineral, pyrite, which causes structural problems.

The Expert Group⁽⁸⁾ that is reviewing the sale of goods legislation has recently reported that exemption clauses which seek to limit the liability of the seller of goods such as infill should remain in place and remain 'subject to a test of fairness in business contracts'.