Zaya v Damirdjian [2022] NSWCA 203

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Zaya v Damirdjian [2022] NSWCA 203 Hearing dates: 31 August 2022 Date of orders: 11 October 2022 Decision date: 11 October 2022 Before: Bell CJ at [1] Gleeson JA at [2] Griffiths AJA at [3] Decision: (1) The parties should seek to agree orders which give effect to these reasons for judgment, including in relation to costs of both the proceedings below and the appellate proceedings. (2) If the parties are unable to reach agreement within 28 days hereof, each should file and serve an outline of written submissions, not exceeding 5 pages in length, in support of their respective proposed orders. (3) Within a further 7 days thereof, each party may file and serve within that time a brief outline of written submissions in response, not exceeding 3 pages in length. (4) Unless any party demonstrates that a further hearing is required, the Court will determine final orders on the papers and without a further oral hearing. Catchwords: NEGLIGENCE – Motor vehicle accident – Identity of vehicle in dispute – Whether primary judge erred in preferring evidence of a particular witness – Whether principles in Fox v Percy apply – Nominal Defendant held liable NEGLIGENCE – Motor vehicle accident – Contributory negligence – Whether primary judge erred in not accepting evidence suggestive of speeding – No contributory negligence Legislation Cited: Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) Cases Cited: Armin Damirdjian v Nominal Defendant & Zaya [2021] NSWDC 703 Bradley v Matloob [2015] NSWCA 239 Damirdjian, A v Nominal Defendant & Zaya; Damirdjian, C v Nominal Defendant & Zaya [2022] NSWDC 52 Darmidjian, C v Nominal Defendant & Zaya [2021] NSWDC 706 Fox v Percy (2003) 214 CLR 118; [2003] HCA 22 Lee v Lee (2019) 266 CLR 129; [2019] HCA 28 Mitchell v Cullingral Pty Ltd [2012] NSWCA 389 New South Wales v Hunt (2014) 86 NSWLR 226; [2014] NSWCA 47 Robinson Helicopter Co Inc v McDermott [2016] HCA 22; (2016) 90 ALJR 679 Sdrolias v Allianz Australia Ltd [2022] NSWCA 20 Shellharbour City Council v Rhiannon Rigby [2006] NSWCA 308; (2006) 150 LGERA 11 Solomans v Pallier [2015] NSWCA 266; (2015) 72 MVR 365 Superannuation & Corporate Services Pty Ltd v Turner [2020] NSWCA 246 Szeto v Situ [2017] NSWCA 136 White v Philips Electronics Australia Ltd t/as Philips Healthcare [2019] NSWCA 115 Texts Cited: NA Category: Principal judgment Parties: Sam Zaya (Appellant/Cross-Respondent) Armin Damirdjian (First Respondent/Cross-Appellant in 2022/00007355) Christina Damirdjian (First Respondent/Cross-Appellant in 2022/00007356) Nominal Defendant (Second Respondent/Cross-Appellant) Representation: Counsel: J Catsanos SC, B Jones (Appellant) P Menzies QC, A J Parker, M McGirr (First Respondents/Cross-Appellants) J Turnbull SC, J Sleight (Second Respondent/Cross-Appellant)