Irlam v Byrnes [2022] NSWCA 81

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Irlam v Byrnes [2022] NSWCA 81 Hearing dates: 24 February 2022 Date of orders: 3 June 2022 Decision date: 03 June 2022 Before: Simpson AJA at [1] N Adams J at [21] Cavanagh J at [59] Decision: (1) Appeal allowed. (2) Judgment of Acting Judge Craig QC of 24 December 2020 set aside. (3) Judgment for the appellant in the sum of $132,279.16. (4) The respondent to pay the appellant's costs in the District Court. (5) The respondent to pay the appellant's costs in this Court. (6) Should any other order for costs be sought, grant leave for the parties to approach the Chambers of Cavanagh J. Catchwords: JUDGMENTS AND ORDERS — Reasons — Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), r 36.2(2) — Delivery of reasons subsequent to delivery of judgment — Delay APPEALS — From finding of fact — Impermissible inferences — Improper admission or rejection of evidence TORTS — Intentional torts — Trespass to the person — Battery — Statutory defences — ss 52, 53 and 54 of the Civil Liability Act 2001 (NSW) — Whether contributory negligence is available as a defence to an intentional tort Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 3B, 5R, 5S, 52-54 Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), r 36.2 Damage by Aircraft Act 1999 (Cth), ss 10-11 Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), ss 55, 59, 76 Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1965 (NSW), ss 8-9 Mental Health Act 1990 (NSW), s 24 Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW), s 117 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) Wrongs Act 1936-1972 (SA), s 27a Cases Cited: ACQ Pty Ltd v Cook (2008) 72 NSWLR 318; [2008] NSWCA 161 Amaca Pty Ltd v Booth (2011) 246 CLR 36; [2011] HCA 53 Australian Guarantee Corporation Ltd v Commissioners of the State Bank of Victoria [1989] VR 617 Bevan v Coolahan (2019) 101 NSWLR 86; [2019] NSWCA 217 Butterfield v Forrester (1809) 103 ER 926 Croucher v Cachia (2016) 95 NSWLR 117; [2016] NSWCA 132 Darby v Director of Public Prosecutions (2004) 61 NSWLR 558; [2004] NSWCA 431 Dickson v Northern Lakes Rugby League Sport and Recreation Club Inc (2020) 103 NSWLR 658; [2020] NSWCA 294 Dura Constructions (Aust) Pty Ltd v Dovigi [2004] VSC 252 Elite Protective Personnel Pty Ltd & Anor v Salmon [2007] NSWCA 322 Fagan v Metropolitan Police Commissioner [1969] QB 439 Fontin v Katapodis (1962) 108 CLR 177; [1962] HCA 63 Fox v Percy (2003) 214 CLR 418 [2003] HCA 22 Harrison v Melhem (2002) 72 NSWLR 380; [2002] NSWCA 67 Horkin v North Melbourne Football Club Social Club [1983] 1 VR 153 Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298; [1959] HCA 8 Lane v R [2013] NSWCCA 317; (2013) 241 A Crim R 321 Lee v Lee (2019) 266 CLR 129; [2019] HCA 28 Lim v Cho [2018] NSWCA 145 at [41]; 84 MVR 514 McHale v Watson (1964) 111 CLR 384; [1964] HCA 64 Miller Heiman Pty Ltd v Sales Principles Pty Ltd (2017) 94 NSWLR 500; [2017] NSWCA Palmer v Clarke (1989) 19 NSWLR 158 Presidential Security Services of Australia Pty Ltd v Brilley (2008) 73 NSWLR 241; [2008] NSWCA 204 Pritchard v Co-operative Group Ltd [2012] QB 320; [2011] EWCA Civ 329 Robinson Helicopter Company Incorporated v McDermott [2016] HCA 22; (2016) 90 ALJR 679 Sangha v Baxter [2007] NSWCA 264 Sangha v Baxter [2009] NSWCA 78; (2009) 52 MVR 492 Sdrolias v Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd [2022] NSWCA 20 Soulemezis v Dudley (Holdings) Pty Ltd (1987) 10 NSWLR 247 State of New South Wales v Riley (2003) 57 NSWLR 496; [2003] NSWCA 208 Stingel v Clark (2006) 226 CLR 442; [2006] HCA 37 Suttor v Gondowda (1950) 81 CLR 418; [1950] HCA 35 Tre Cavalli Pty Ltd v The Berry Rural Co Operative Society Limited [2013] NSWCA 235 Venning v Chin (1974) 10 SASR 299 Texts Cited: C Sappideen and P Vines, Fleming's The Law of Torts (10th ed, Thomson Reuters, 2011) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Gregory Paul Irlam (Appellant) Daryl Byrnes (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: D Hooke SC with D-L Del Monte (Appellant) J Catsanos SC (Respondent)