Chong v Berry [2007] NSWLC 33

Local Court of New South Wales

CITATION: Chong v Berry [2007] NSWLC 33 JURISDICTION: Civil PARTIES: Moe-Ava Chong Nicole Berry FILE NUMBER: 4338/06 PLACE OF HEARING: Downing Centre DATE OF DECISION: 12/20/2007 MAGISTRATE: Magistrate H Dillon CATCHWORDS: Damages – Quantum – Quantification of loss of use of motor vehicle after traffic accident – Quantification of loss in period before hiring replacement vehicle – Quantification of loss during period in which hire car used – "Market rate" -- Receipt of non-compensable benefits – Entitlement to claim collision damage waiver fee – Pre-judgment interest - Evidence – Onus of proof – Rebuttable assumption that invoice for hire of car corresponds with market rate – Matters that rebut presumption – Lack of "straightforwardness" Civil Liability Act 2002 LEGISLATION CITED: Civil Procedure Act 2005 Local Courts Act 1982 Admiralty Commissioners v SS Susequehanna ("The Susequehanna") [1926] AC 655 Alexander v Lang [1967] Scots LT (Sheriff Court R) 64 Athanasopoulos v Moseley (2001) 52 NSWLR 262 Banco de Portugal v Waterlow & Sons Ltd [1932] AC 452 Batchelor v Burke (1981) 148 CLR 448 Bee v Jenson [2006] EWHC 3359 (Comm) British Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Co Ltd v Underground Electric Railways Co of London Ltd [1912] AC 673 Burdis v Livsey [2003] QB 36 Dimond v Lovell [2002] 1 AC 384 Fire and All Risks Insurance Co Ltd (1978) 140 CLR 427 Fung v Stocavaz [2006] NSWSC 1345; (2007) ANZ Insurance Cases 61-730. CASES CITED: Giles v Thompson [1994] 1 AC 142 The Greta Holme [1897] AC 596 J&E Hall Ltd v Barclay [1937] 3 All ER 620 Lagden v O'Connor [2004] 1 AC 1067 Lodge Holes Colliery Co Ltd v Wednesbury Corporation [1908] AC 323 Marcic v Davies (20 Feb 1985) Mersey Docks & Harbour Board v Owners of the SS Marpessa ("The Marpessa") [1907] AC 241 Patel v London Transport Executive [1981] RTR 29 Radford v De Froberville [1977] 1WLR 1262 Reid v Brown (1952) WN(NSW) 131 Screenco Pty Ltd v RL Dew Pty Ltd (2003) 58 NSWLR 720 Solomon Pacific Resources NL v Acacia Resources Ltd (1996) 19 ACSR 677 Stanton v Drayton Commercial Investment Co [1983] 1 AC 501 Mr M. Hodges (Counsel for Plaintiff ) REPRESENTATION: Anne Finnerty & Assoc (Solicitors for Plaintiff) Mr K. Oliver (Counsel for Defendant) Mason Black Lawyers (Solicitors for Defendant) ORDERS: Verdict and judgment for plaintiff in sum of $1136.75. Costs reserved.