Cook v Sirius International Insurance Corporation Australian Branch [2021] NSWCA 192

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Cook v Sirius International Insurance Corporation Australian Branch [2021] NSWCA 192 Hearing dates: 28 June 2021 Date of orders: 2 September 2021 Decision date: 02 September 2021 Before: Gleeson JA at [1]; Payne JA at [2]; Brereton JA at [3]. Decision: Appeal dismissed with costs. Catchwords: INSURANCE – Claims – Property insurance – Fire – Proof – Circumstantial case – Where insurers alleged that fires in hotel premises deliberately lit – Whether plausible hypotheses consistent with innocence – Relevance of financial motive – Whether means and opportunity – Passive infrared sensors – Timing – Layout of premises – Plausibility of intruders – Appeal dismissed APPEALS – From findings of fact – Function of appellate court – Where primary judgment not dependent on credibility findings – Court obligated to conduct a real review of the evidence and reasons Legislation Cited: (NSW) Evidence Act 1995, s 140 (NSW) Supreme Court Act 1970, s 75A Cases Cited: Belhaven & Stenton Peerage (1875) 1 App Cas 278 Bradshaw v McEwans Pty Ltd (1951) 217 ALR 1 Chamberlain v The Queen (No 2) (1984) 153 CLR 521; [1984] HCA 7 Lee v Lee (2019) 266 CLR 129; [2019] HCA 28 Palmer v Dolman [2005] NSWCA 361 Sharma v Insurance Australia Ltd t/as NRMA Insurance [2017] NSWCA 307 Transport Industries Insurance Co Ltd v Longmuir [1997] 1 VR 125 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Stephen William Cook (First Appellant) Christine Margaret Cook (Second Appellant) Sirius International Insurance Corporation Australian Branch (First Respondent) Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's of London Subscribing to Contract Number GH01613 (Second Respondent) Representation: Counsel: GM Watson SC with PG Cutler (Appellants) JE Sexton SC with JC Lee (Respondents)