Business issue

Author
Discussion

wjwren

Original Poster:

4,484 posts

134 months

Monday 23rd October 2017
quotequote all
I installed a cctv system for a friends mom 3 years ago, she is a head teacher at a school and had limited budget so needed it cheap. All has been well and its worked fine but the school got broken in to last week and she blames my poor workmanship that the thieves could cut the wires. She now wants compensation from me. This has only come about as my co worker has split up from her daughter - nasty breakup. Before this we were all on very good terms. She also had me install a hidden cam in the staff room though didnt mention this in the snotty letter - im not sure this is even legal?

papa3

1,407 posts

186 months

Monday 23rd October 2017
quotequote all
Did you install it as a business?

Ructions

4,705 posts

120 months

Monday 23rd October 2017
quotequote all
Politely tell her to do one.

wjwren

Original Poster:

4,484 posts

134 months

Monday 23rd October 2017
quotequote all
yes^

Pica-Pica

13,621 posts

83 months

Monday 23rd October 2017
quotequote all
She should have actioned all this through the governors. She is head teacher, the clue is in the second word.

Edited by Pica-Pica on Monday 23 October 22:32

Pica-Pica

13,621 posts

83 months

Monday 23rd October 2017
quotequote all
I would also have thought the installation would have needed a policy as to its use, approval from parents that their children may be filmed, etc.

papa3

1,407 posts

186 months

Monday 23rd October 2017
quotequote all
Seems odd that a school would source something at "mates rates". From my experience there are vast differences between DIY/home cctv, where the cabling will always be the weak spot, and commercial/professional systems where secured cabling is the norm.

3 years since fitting I think she's on a hiding to nothing, providing what she got was as described.

Always be wary dealing with friends and family.

wjwren

Original Poster:

4,484 posts

134 months

Monday 23rd October 2017
quotequote all
Its worked fine since then, im actually dubious about a break in at all. I think she is just bitter and wants me to send her a cheque. Any idea if she goes down the small claim route?

Wacky Racer

38,099 posts

246 months

Monday 23rd October 2017
quotequote all
Ructions said:
Politely tell her to do one.
This.

The woman's a fool.

papa3

1,407 posts

186 months

Monday 23rd October 2017
quotequote all
If there wasn't a break in then where is her loss (before you even consider where your liability would lie)

dudleybloke

19,718 posts

185 months

Monday 23rd October 2017
quotequote all
Wacky Racer said:
Ructions said:
Politely tell her to do one.
This.

The woman's a fool.
And let the staff know about the hidden camera.

essayer

9,011 posts

193 months

Monday 23rd October 2017
quotequote all
Just say you’ll take it up directly with the board of governors.

dacouch

1,172 posts

128 months

Tuesday 24th October 2017
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To be able to successfully claim from you, she would need to prove to the satisfaction of a court that the exposed wires that were able to be cut in effect caused the break in.

In my experience cctv has a small deterent effect but will not prevent a determined thief as they simply cover their faces.

There is a very strong chance that a court would decide the theft would still have happened even if the cables were hidden / armoured cable.

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 24th October 2017
quotequote all
Much about this story is odd. Is this a private school or a state school? Between which entities was the agreement for the work? The head teacher of a private school who also owns the school might contract for such work. In a state school, or a private school governed by a trust, the head teacher could and often would have contracting responsibility (in big state schools head teachers often do little teaching and are in effect the CEO/CFO), but contracts should be made according to internal procedures, and in public sector cases possibly subject to rules about procurement. Then there are the data protection, privacy and surveillance issues touched on by others above. Lastly, as already noted liability for the break in would not be attributable to the insecure cabling absent proof that but for the cabling the break in would not have occurred. Indeed, even the most secure installation could not prevent a break in although it might deter one.

milkround

1,113 posts

78 months

Tuesday 24th October 2017
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I think the chances of a school suing you are very small.

A long time ago I ran a landscaping business and a bloke working for me started a fire to burn garden waste rather than taking it to the van. He ended up burning the fence down when he left it to go for his lunch break. It even torched the neighbors trampoline. The house was owned by a famous public school - but when I explained I didn't have insurance but would come and fix the fence myself they were not interested.

Given we were 100% at fault and negligent and they didn't bother to follow it up makes me think schools will not sue.

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 24th October 2017
quotequote all
What a ridiculous thing to say. A sample of one provides no basis for a general conclusion. Anecdote is not data.

A quick search of Bailii shows 7643 cases about schools on the database.

milkround

1,113 posts

78 months

Tuesday 24th October 2017
quotequote all
You are probably right. But if I was really worried like the OP is I'd consult a real solicitor rather than asking on the internet. Neither of us are legally trained and googling stuff isn't going to help him. It would take a trainer person to understand what the googling actually referred to. And I doubt it's CCTV cameras or fences.

We are all just randoms giving our own opinion.

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 24th October 2017
quotequote all
What, you mean practising barristers with over thirty years experience like me?

I see that you edited out your jibe about lawyers being too tight fisted to give advice for free on the internet. Yep, that never happens.


Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 24th October 06:31

milkround

1,113 posts

78 months

Tuesday 24th October 2017
quotequote all
In which case - if you are a real barrister and have a wig then I'll admit you probably know more about this than me.

Not sure why you call yourself a taxi driver in your profile though.

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 24th October 2017
quotequote all
I don't. I describe myself as "a sort of taxi". That is what I am.

Cab rank rule. You can Google that.

Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 24th October 06:32