Farriss v Axford [2023] NSWCA 255

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Farriss v Axford [2023] NSWCA 255 Hearing dates: 3 November 2022 Date of orders: 26 October 2023 Decision date: 26 October 2023 Before: Meagher JA; Mitchelmore JA; Simpson AJA Decision: (1) Appeal dismissed. (2) Cross-appeal dismissed. (3) The appellants are to pay the respondents' costs. Catchwords: NEGLIGENCE — Breach — Where first appellant injured hand in electric anchoring mechanism of boat — Whether owners of boat failed to take reasonable precautions such as installation of chain stripper and extension of spurling pipe — Whether warning needed to be given about use of anchor mechanism NEGLIGENCE — Causation — Failure to warn — Whether first appellant would have chartered boat if warning had been given APPEALS — Where claim abandoned by counsel at conclusion of trial — Whether claim can be reagitated on appeal CONSUMER LAW — Consumer guarantees — Where first appellant's purpose in chartering boat was to partake in leisure cruise — Whether services reasonably fit for purpose Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 5B, 5C, 5M Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), Sch 2 – Australian Consumer Law, ss 61, 267(4) Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), ss 75A, 101(1)(a) Cases Cited: Blue Op Partner Pty Ltd v De Roma [2023] NSWCA 161 Coulton v Holcombe (1986) 162 CLR 1; [1986] HCA 33 Massoud v Nationwide News Pty Ltd; Massoud v Fox Sports Australia Pty Ltd (2022) 109 NSWLR 468; [2022] NSWCA 150 Menz v Wagga Wagga Show Society Inc (2020) 103 NSWLR 103; [2020] NSWCA 65 Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales v Dederer (2007) 234 CLR 330; [2007] HCA 42 Tapp v Australian Bushmen's Campdraft & Rodeo Association Limited (2022) 273 CLR 454; [2022] HCA 11 Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) v Miller; Miller v Lithgow City Council (2015) 91 NSWLR 752; [2015] NSWCA 320 University of Wollongong v Metwally (No 2) [1985] HCA 28; (1985) 59 ALJR 481 Texts Cited: Nil Category: Principal judgment Parties: Timothy William Farriss (First appellant) Montana Productions Pty Ltd (Second appellant) John William Axford (First respondent) Jill Mary Axford (Second respondent) Church Point Charters and Shipping Pty Ltd (Third respondent) Representation: Counsel: D A Lloyd SC and S Blackman (Appellants) J Turnbull SC and J Sleight (Respondents)