Catlin v Draper [2023] NSWCA 49

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Catlin v Draper [2023] NSWCA 49 Hearing dates: 1 March 2023 Decision date: 24 March 2023 Before: Meagher JA at [1]; Mitchelmore JA at [2]; Adamson JA at [3] Decision: (1) Grant leave to appeal. (2) Dismiss the appeal. (3) Unless an application is made in writing for a different order within 14 days, order the appellant to pay the respondent's costs of the appeal. Catchwords: APPEAL — negligence — whether reasons sufficient — nature of breach found — contested factual findings of primary judge — assessment of witnesses' evidence — nature of review on appeal TORTS — alleged incongruity between criminal act of respondent and imposition of duty of care on appellant — defence of illegality under the common law and s 54 of the Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) — whether appellant acting in self-defence — application of ss 52 and 53 of Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) TORTS — consideration of "agony of the moment" defence — where onus lies — evidentiary onus TORTS — contributory negligence — whether sufficient reasons given for discount of 25% when appellant sought 80-90% Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 5D, 5R, 5S, 52, 53, 54 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW), s 138 Road Transport (Driver Licensing) Regulation 2017 (NSW), regs 38, 119 Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), s 75A Cases Cited: Abdallah v Newton (1998) 28 MVR 364 Bevan v Coolahan (2019) 101 NSWLR 86; [2019] NSWCA 217 Collector of Customs v Pozzolanic Enterprises Pty Ltd (1993) 43 FCR 280; [1993] FCA 456 Cusack v Stayt [2000] NSWCA 244 Fox v Percy (2003) 214 CLR 118; [2003] HCA 22 House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499; [1936] HCA 40 Housing Commission of New South Wales v Tatmar Pastoral Co Pty Ltd [1983] 3 NSWLR 378 Lee v Lee (2019) 266 CLR 129; [2019] HCA 28 Leishman v Thomas; Hobbs (Third-Party) (1957) 75 WN (NSW) 173 Miller v Miller (2011) 242 CLR 446; [2011] HCA 9 New South Wales Land and Housing Corporation v Orr (2019) 100 NSWLR 578; [2019] NSWCA 231 Onassis v Vergottis [1968] 2 Lloyd's Rep 403 Pettitt v Dunkley (1971) 1 NSWLR 376 Small v K & R Fabrications (W'gong) Pty Ltd [2016] NSWCA 70 Soulemezis v Dudley (Holdings) Pty Ltd (1987) 10 NSWLR 247 State Rail Authority of New South Wales v Earthline Constructions Pty Ltd (in Liq) [1999] HCA 3; (1999) 73 ALJR 306 Strbak v Newton [1989] NSWCA 202 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Brooke Amanda Catlin (Appellant) Taylor Maree Draper (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: P Deakin KC / B Kelleher SC (Appellant) L King SC / P O'Rourke (Respondent)