Owlstara v State of New South Wales [2020] NSWCA 217

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Owlstara v State of New South Wales [2020] NSWCA 217 Hearing dates: 8 and 9 July 2020 Decision date: 15 September 2020 Before: Basten JA at [1]; Meagher JA at [18]; Emmett AJA at [103] Decision: (1) Appeal allowed. (2) Set aside the judgment and orders of the District Court. (3) Judgment for the appellant as plaintiff in the sum of $115,000. (4) Respondent pay the appellant's costs of the proceedings in the District Court and of the appeal. Catchwords: TORTS – intentional – assault and battery – false imprisonment – justification for arrest – driving offences – need to identify suspect – claim of preventing fabrication of evidence and repetition of offences – compliance with Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 (NSW), s 99(3)(b), (e) POLICE – use of force – arrest – driving offences – pointing gun at offender – handcuffing offender – conveying to police station – whether force used reasonably necessary – compliance with Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 (NSW), ss 230, 231 DAMAGES – assessment – intentional torts – compensatory damages – aggravated damages – psychological injury – causal connection with arrest – vindication of claimant's right to liberty and bodily integrity – Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) not applied Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 3, 3B, 11A, 15B, 16, 18; Pt 2 Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), s 10 Crown Proceedings Act 1998 (NSW) Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 (NSW), ss 39, 99, 230, 231 Law Reform (Vicarious Liability) Act 1983 (NSW), s 8 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW), s 8 Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW), ss 68, 175 Cases Cited: Australian Capital Territory v Crowley (2012) 273 FLR 370; [2012] ACTCA 52 Fox v Percy (2003) 214 CLR 118; [2003] HCA 22 George v Rockett (1990) 170 CLR 104 Laminex (Australia) Pty Ltd v Smeeth [1999] NSWCA 462 Lee v Lee [2019] HCA 28; (2019) 93 ALJR 993 Lewis v Australian Capital Territory [2020] HCA 26 Monie v Commonwealth (2005) 63 NSWLR 729; [2005] NSWCA 25 Moore v Scenic Tours Pty Ltd (2020) 94 ALJR 481; [2020] HCA 17 New South Wales v Williamson [2011] NSWCA 183 Prior v Mole (2017) 261 CLR 265; [2017] HCA 10 State of New South Wales v McMaster (2015) 91 NSWLR 666; [2015] NSWCA 228 State of New South Wales v Robinson (2016) 93 NSWLR 280; [2016] NSWCA 334 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Lytha Owlstara (Appellant) State of New South Wales (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: