ROADS AND TRAFFIC AUTHORITY v SNAPE, ROADS AND TRAFFIC AUTHORITY v TRIMBAK PTY LTD [1999] NSWCA 47

New South Wales Court of Appeal CITATION : ROADS AND TRAFFIC AUTHORITY v SNAPE, ROADS AND TRAFFIC AUTHORITY v TRIMBAK PTY LTD [1999] NSWCA 47 FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 40521/97; 40522/97 HEARING DATE(S) : 23 February 1999 JUDGMENT DATE : 12 March 1999

PARTIES : ROADS AND TRAFFIC AUTHORITY v SNAPE ROADS AND TRAFFIC AUTHORITY v TRIMBAK PTY LTD JUDGMENT OF : Handley JA at 1; Powell JA at 38; Giles JA at 39

LOWER COURT JURISDICTION : District Court LOWER COURT FILE NUMBER(S) : DC 244/94; DC 236/94 LOWER COURT JUDICIAL OFFICER : Sidis DCJ

J D Hislop QC (Appellant) COUNSEL : R Coolahan (Respondents Snape and Trimbak) C D Charteris (Respondent Nominal Defendant) Crown Solicitor's Office (Appellant) SOLICITORS : Priority Legal Services Toukley (Respondents Snape and Trimbak) Hunt & Hunt Newcastle (Respondent Nominal Defendant) CATCHWORDS : NEGLIGENCE - motor vehicle accidents as a result of roadworks - whether adequate reasons for trial Judge's findings on evidence; CAUSATION - liability - whether adequate reason for findings as to liability given by trial Judge; COSTS - whether Sanderson order appropriate Leotta v Public Transport Commission of NSW (1976) 50 ALJR 666 at 668-9 Mummery v Irvings Pty Ltd (1956) 96 CLR 99 CASES CITED: 110-11 Gould v Vaggelas (1985) 157 CLR 215 229 DECISION : Appeal allowed in Snape's case; Appeal dismissed in Trimbak's case

THE SUPREME COURT

OF NEW SOUTH WALES

COURT OF APPEAL

CA 40521/97 DC 244/94 CA 40522/97 DC 236/94

HANDLEY JA POWELL JA GILES JA

Friday 12 March 1999

ROADS AND TRAFFIC AUTHORITY v SNAPE