Alldinger v Du Ranot [2023] NSWDC 37

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Alldinger v Du Ranot [2023] NSWDC 37 Hearing dates: 15, 16 & 17 February 2023 Date of orders: 28 February 2023 Decision date: 28 February 2023 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Judge Levy SC Decision: 1. Verdict for the plaintiff in the sum of $1,103,234.45; 2. After credits and offsets due to the defendant, judgment for the plaintiff in the sum of $975,000; 3. The defendant is to pay the plaintiff's costs on the ordinary basis unless a party can show an entitlement to some other order for costs; 4. The exhibits are to be retained subject to any further order of the Court; 5. The Registrar of the Court is directed to refer a copy of these reasons, together with a copy of the transcript of the plaintiff's evidence (with a copy of the errata schedule comprising Exhibit "F") and the certificate issued pursuant to s 128 of the Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) to the Commissioner for Taxation for the Commissioner's consideration; 6. Liberty to apply on 7 days' notice if further or other orders are required. Catchwords: TORTS – motor vehicle accident – plaintiff cyclist struck by defendant's vehicle – liability admitted; DAMAGES – assessment of damages – self-employed café proprietor claiming damages for economic loss – plaintiff under-declared his income to avoid tax – assessment based on true earning capacity – certificate granted to plaintiff pursuant to s 128 of the Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) – Registrar to refer reasons for judgment and transcript of plaintiff's evidence to the Commissioner for Taxation for consideration Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), s 13 Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), s 128 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW), s 83, s 126, s 136, s 141 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), Sch 7 cl 3(e) Cases Cited: Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Kerr [2012] NSWCA 13 Arnott v Choy [2010] NSWCA 259 Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Limited v Haleluka [2012] NSWCA 343 Fazlic v Milingimbi Community Inc (1982) 150 CLR 345; [1982] HCA 3 Giorginis v Kastrati (1988) SASR 371 Graham v Baker (1961) 106 CLR 340; [1961] HCA 48 Insurance Australia Limited t/a NRMA Insurance v John Checchia [2011] NSWCA 101 Makita (Australia) Pty Ltd v Sprowles (2001) 52 NSWLR 705; [2001] NSWCA 305 Malec v JC Hutton Pty Ltd (1990) 169 CLR 638; [1990] HCA 20 Matar v Jones [2011] NSWCA 304 Medlin v State Government Insurance Commission (1995) 182 CLR 1; [1995] HCA 5 Morvatjou v Modadkhani [2013] NSWCA 159 Penrith City Council v Parks [2004] NSWCA 201 Petera Pty Ltd v EAJ Pty Ltd (1985) 7 FCR 375 Pham v NRMA Insurance Ltd and Others (2014) 66 MVR 152; [2014] NSWCA 22 State of NSW v Moss [2000] NSWCA 133, (2000) 54 NSWLR 536 Tuncel v Renown Plate Co Pty Ltd [1976] VR 501 Texts Cited: Mayne and McGregor on Damages; 12th Ed (1962) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Michael Alldinger (Plaintiff) Donovan Du Ranot (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr B Jones (Plaintiff) Mr B Kelleher SC (Defendant)