Hoblos v Alexakis [2021] NSWCA 126

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Hoblos v Alexakis [2021] NSWCA 126 Hearing dates: 7 August 2020 Decision date: 23 June 2021 Before: White JA at [1]; McCallum JA at [57]; Davies J at [195] Decision: (1) Appeal allowed. (2) Set aside the orders of the District Court of 20 December 2019. (3) Direct that within 28 days each party provide written submissions on the assessment of damages in accordance with these reasons, including as to whether damages can be assessed by this court or whether their assessment should be remitted to the District Court. (4) Any submissions in reply are to be provided within seven days thereafter. (5) Respondent to pay the costs of the appeal to date. Catchwords: TORTS – General principles – Damages – Where task of assessing evidence of major depressive disorder complicated by evidence of exaggeration or malingering – Whether plaintiff entitled to any damages Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), s 33 Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), ss 56, 60 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW), Pt 3.4, ss 83, 84, 126, 131 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), rr 51.18(1)(e), 53.51(5)(a). Cases Cited: Abalos v Australian Postal Commission (1990) 171 CLR 16 Brown v Lewis [2006] NSWCA 87 Fox v Percy (2003) 214 CLR 118; [2003] HCA 22 Harriton (by her tutor) v Stephens; Waller (by his tutor) v James & Anor; Waller (by his tutor) v Hoolahan (2004) 59 NSWLR 694; [2004] NSWCA 93 Harriton v Stephens (2006) 226 CLR 52; [2006] HCA 15 Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298; [1959] HCA 8 Jones v Hyde (1989) 63 ALJR 349 Lloyd v Thornbury [2019] NSWCA 154 Nominal Defendant v Smith [2015] NSWCA 339; (2015) 73 MVR 257 Todorovic v Waller (1981) 150 CLR 402; [1981] HCA 72 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Khaled Hoblos (Appellant) Nick Alexakis (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: R McIlwaine SC (Appellant) K Rewell SC (Respondent)