Venues NSW v Kane [2023] NSWCA 192

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Venues NSW v Kane [2023] NSWCA 192 Hearing dates: 17 July 2023 Decision date: 18 August 2023 Before: Leeming JA at [1]; Adamson JA at [91]; Simpson AJA at [92]; Decision: 1. Grant leave to appeal. 2. Direct Venues NSW to file a notice of appeal in the form of the draft notice of appeal within seven days, and otherwise dispense with the requirements of service. 3. Appeal allowed. 4. Set aside the orders of the District Court made on 14 December 2022 and 8 February 2023 and in lieu thereof order judgment for the defendant with costs. 5. Order Ms Kane to pay Venues NSW's costs in this Court. Catchwords: NEGLIGENCE – occupier's liability – plaintiff slipped while descending stepped aisle at outdoor stadium – whether reasonable occupier would have installed a handrail – identification of risk of harm – significance of obviousness of risk – no evidence of other persons slipping on stepped aisle – stadium certified as compliant with Building Code of Australia – appeal allowed and judgment for defendant entered Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 5B, 5C District Court Act 1973 (NSW), s 127(2)(c) Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 (NSW), cl 154 Sporting Venues Authorities Act 2008 (NSW), s 12, Sch 1, Sch 5 Sporting Venues Authorities Amendment (Venues NSW) Act 2011 (NSW) Sporting Venues Authorities Amendment (Venues NSW) Act 2020 (NSW) Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), s 75A Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), r 51.14(1)(b) Cases Cited: Bitupave Ltd t/as Boral Asphalt v Pillinger [2015] NSWCA 298 Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd v Bridge [2018] NSWCA 183; Aust Tort Reports 82-409 Columbia and Puget Sound Railway Co v Hawthorne 144 US 202 (1892) Davis v Langdon (1911) 11 SR (NSW) 149 Dovuro Pty Ltd v Wilkins (2003) 215 CLR 317; [2003] HCA 51 Fairall v Hobbs [2017] NSWCA 82; 347 ALR 151 Garzo v Liverpool/Campbelltown Christian School [2012] NSWCA 151 Hart v The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company (1869) 21 LT 261 Wilkinson v Law Courts Limited [2001] NSWCA 196 Izzard v Dunbier Marine Products (NSW) Pty Ltd [2012] NSWCA 132 Menz v Wagga Wagga Show Society Inc (2020) 103 NSWLR 103; [2020] NSWCA 65 Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District v Starkey [2016] NSWCA 114; Aust Tort Reports 82-289 Patrick Stevedores Operations (No 2) Pty Ltd v Hennessy [2015] NSWCA 253 Port Macquarie Hastings Council v Mooney [2014] NSWCA 156; Aust Tort Reports 82-172 Roads and Traffic Authority (NSW) v Dederer (2007) 234 CLR 330; [2007] HCA 42 Russell v Carpenter [2022] NSWCA 252 Tapp v Australian Bushmen's Campdraft & Rodeo Association Ltd (2022) 273 CLR 454; [2022] HCA 11 Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) v Miller (2015) 91 NSWLR 752; [2015] NSWCA 320 Zaya v RPS Manidis Roberts Pty Ltd and UGL Engineering Pty Ltd t/a Energised Alliance [2019] NSWCA 320 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Venues NSW (Applicant) Kerri Kane (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: J E Sexton SC, R Gambi (Applicant) M Cranitch SC, A D Campbell (Respondent)