WALLESS represented client in a landmark case – tilted building to be demolished and rebuilt

The WALLESS team, led by senior associates Margo Lemetti and Kevin Kõo represented the apartment owners of Lubja 2a in Tartu in a rare legal dispute, where they demanded compensation from the builder for serious construction defects that caused the building to tilt. In cases like this, apartment owners are often left without real protection – project-specific companies are frequently dissolved after development is completed, and the diffusion of responsibility makes it extremely difficult to enforce rights.

In this case the parties reached a highly uncommon court-approved settlement: the builder will demolish the building and construct a new building in its place! This outcome has the potential to reshape legal practice in the construction and real estate sector.

Our team role extended far beyond legal representation – we developed a clear and deliberate legal strategy in a situation where no prior precedent existed in the legal framework. This agreement sets an example for the entire construction industry and demonstrates that accountability does not disappear with a company’s name!