Jennings v Wilden [2023] NSWCA 41

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Jennings v Wilden [2023] NSWCA 41 Hearing dates: 7 November 2022 Date of orders: 14 March 2023 Decision date: 14 March 2023 Before: Meagher JA at [1]; Mitchelmore JA at [2]; Basten AJA at [3] Decision: (1) Dismiss the appeal from the judgment and orders of the District Court. (2) Order that the appellant pay the respondent's costs in this Court. Catchwords: APPEAL – civil proceedings – forced sexual intercourse without consent within marriage – appeal against liability – grounds – judge erred in applying standard for appellate review of findings of fact to defendant's evidence – reversal of burden of proof DAMAGES – appeal – future economic loss – assessment – "buffer" of $100,000 awarded – whether excessive and unsupported by evidence Legislation Cited: Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), s 140 Cases Cited: Brear v James Hardie & Coy Pty Ltd (2000) 50 NSWLR 388; [2000] NSWCA 352 Briginshaw v Briginshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336; [1938] HCA 34 Fox v Percy (2003) 214 CLR 118; [2003] HCA 22 Goodrich Aerospace Pty Ltd v Arsic (2006) 66 NSWLR 186; [2006] NSWCA 187 Moran v McMahon (1985) 3 NSWLR 700 Neat Holdings Pty Ltd v Karajan Holdings Pty Ltd (1992) 67 ALJR 170; [1992] HCA 66 Pollard v Baulderstone Hornibrook Engineering Pty Ltd [2008] NSWCA 99 The Owners - Strata Plan 156 v Gray [2004] NSWCA 304 Wilson v Peisley (1975) 50 ALJR 207 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Michael Jennings (Appellant) Kirra Michelle Wilden (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr PW Neil SC / Ms K Boettcher (Appellant) Mr JM Morris SC / Ms LA Beange / Mr MW Short (Respondent)