Desmond approached Alex Wong, a building surveyor, and asked his advice as to the structural soundness of a block of apartments in Melbourne that Desmond was considering purchasing as an investment. Alex prepared a report for Desmond and concluded the building was structurally sound and complied with all building regulations. In preparing the report, Alex did not read the specifications of the external cladding that the building was covered with, and so did not realise the cladding was non-compliant. Desmond went ahead and bought the block of apartments for $88 million, but within three months it became clear that the cladding was non-compliant. The cost of rectification is estimated to be $12 million, but in the meantime the apartments cannot be let because there is a risk that the non-compliant cladding will catch fire.

Required

Desmond is now in severe financial difficulties and asks for your advice. Consider common law principles of negligence. Use your own words at all times.