Mt Pleasant Stud Farm Pty Ltd v McCormick [2022] NSWCA 191

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Mt Pleasant Stud Farm Pty Ltd v McCormick [2022] NSWCA 191 Hearing dates: 1 July 2022 Date of orders: 23 September 2022 Decision date: 23 September 2022 Before: White JA at [1] Brereton JA at [2] Kirk JA at [3] Decision: (1) Appeal dismissed with costs. (2) The parties have liberty to apply within 28 days in order to resolve any issue as to the final sum payable to the respondent. Catchwords: NEGLIGENCE — Causation — Increased risk of harm — Necessity of showing that the risk "came home" or eventuated EVIDENCE — Opinion evidence — Exceptions — Expert opinion — Whether opinion of experienced horse trainer and breeder without tertiary qualifications based on specialised knowledge — Eccentric expressions used in report — Expert not required to engage in line-drawing exercise APPEALS — From finding of fact — Function of appellate court — Credibility findings — Advantages of trial judge — Impressions formed by seeing and hearing witness not limited to observed demeanour Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), s 3B(1)(f) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), s 79 Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), s 151E(1) Cases Cited: Amaca Pty Limited (Under NSW Administered Winding Up) v Roseanne Cleary as the Legal Personal Representative of the Estate of the Late Fortunato (aka Frank) Gatt [2022] NSWCA 151 Bendix Mintex Pty Limited v Barnes (1997) 42 NSWLR 307 Burnie Port Authority v General Jones Pty Ltd (1994) 179 CLR 520; [1994] HCA 13 Czatyrko v Edith Cowan University (2005) 79 ALJR 839; [2005] HCA 14 Dasreef Pty Ltd v Hawchar (2011) 243 CLR 588; [2011] HCA 21 Gittani Stone Pty Limited v Pavkovic [2007] NSWCA 355 Hollis v Vabu Pty Ltd (2001) 207 CLR 21; [2001] HCA 44 Lee v Lee (2019) 266 CLR 129; [2019] HCA 28 Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd v Fox (2009) 240 CLR 1; [2009] HCA 35 McCormick v Mt Pleasant Stud Farm Pty Ltd [2021] NSWDC 415 New South Wales v Lepore (2003) 212 CLR 511; [2003] HCA 4 Roads and Traffic Authority v Royal (2008) 82 ALJR 870; [2008] HCA 19 Seltsam Pty Ltd v McGuiness (2000) 49 NSWLR 262; [2000] NSWCA 29 TC (by his tutor Sabatino) v New South Wales [2001] NSWCA 380 White Constructions Pty Ltd v PBS Holdings Pty Ltd [2020] NSWCA 277 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Mt Pleasant Stud Farm Pty Ltd (Appellant) Sean McCormick (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: