Overview
Grand v Gill is not a straightforward Party Wall Act case, but it is useful because it considers what can form part of a building's structure.
The lesson is that apparently minor fabric can have legal importance.
The issue
The court had to consider whether plaster could form part of the structure of a property.
The decision
The Court of Appeal held that plaster can form part of the structure. It is not always merely decorative.
That was particularly understandable in older buildings, where lath and plaster can be part of the way walls and ceilings are formed and perform.
Why it matters
For party wall practice, the case is a useful reminder to avoid lazy assumptions about what is or is not structural.
That does not mean ordinary decorating or plaster repairs automatically become party wall matters. It means surveyors and designers should consider the actual fabric and the effect of the proposed work.
Practical lesson
When assessing notifiability, ask what the work physically affects, not just what the room looks like after decoration.
Older buildings in particular may need more careful thought before internal work is dismissed as purely cosmetic.