The High Court has given permission for a leaky building representative class action to proceed against cladding maker James Hardie, says the action's lawyers. The action claims James Hardie was negligent in its design, manufacture and supply of the Harditex and Titanboard cladding systems. Parker said 19 commercial owners have signed up for the Titanboard claim, and more than 60 for the Harditex claim. James Hardie denies the claims and has said it stands by the integrity and quality of its building products. The company was founded in Melbourne in 1888 by Scottish immigrant James Hardie.

Source: New Zealand Herald October 16, 2016 03:00 UTC