The appeal court has heard the Buildings Department’s challenge to a ruling that quashed its refusal to renew Aggressive Construction Company Limited’s registration as a general building contractor. The appeal turns on how much detail the department must give when explaining such a refusal.
In January 2026, the lower court found that the department had not adequately explained its decision to the company. It ruled that reasons had to be given in writing, quashed the refusal and sent the renewal application back to the department for reconsideration.
The department argues that the lower court applied too strict a standard to its formal notice. It says internal meeting records show officials considered the company’s industrial accidents, its authorised signatory’s interview and concerns about safety management, and that the refusal process complied with the law. The company says it needs to know the grounds for refusal to understand and challenge the decision.
The refusal followed an assessment by the Contractors Registration Committee (General Building Contractors), which was not satisfied with the authorised signatory’s competence in site supervision and safety management, or with the company’s site-safety management. The registration was due to expire on 7 April 2023; the department refused renewal on 22 May 2025, and the company was removed from the register the following month. Star Headline reported that the company had been involved in three serious site accidents that caused five deaths.
During the appeal, a judge questioned the department’s argument that one sufficient ground could support the refusal, asking whether establishing one ground would automatically establish the others. The appeal court said it would deliver its judgment within three months of the hearing.