HOLLIS v VABU PTY LIMITED (T/as CRISIS COURIERS) [1999] NSWCA 334

Reported Decision : (1999) Aust Torts Reports 81-535

New South Wales Court of Appeal CITATION : HOLLIS v VABU PTY LIMITED (T/as CRISIS COURIERS) [1999] NSWCA 334 FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 40282/98 HEARING DATE(S) : 28 July 1999 JUDGMENT DATE : 5 November 1999

PARTIES : Gary John Hollis - Appellant Vabu Pty Limited (T/as Crisis Couriers) - Respondent JUDGMENT OF : Sheller JA at 1; Giles JA at 35; Davies AJA at 36

LOWER COURT JURISDICTION : District Court LOWER COURT FILE NUMBER(S) : 1281/96 LOWER COURT JUDICIAL OFFICER : Wright ADCJ

COUNSEL : B H Donovan QC/I Ryan - Appellant J G Stewart - Respondent SOLICITORS : Brydens - Appellant Henry Davis York - Respondent CATCHWORDS : NEGLIGENCE - independent contractor - bicycle courier - whether principal vicariously liable for negligence of contractor - non-delegable duty - held: no such duty ACTS CITED : Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1946 Trade Practices Act 1974 Australasian Brokerage Limited v Australian and New Zealand Banking Corporation Limited (1934) 52 CLR 430 Australian Safeway Stores Pty Ltd v Zaluzna (1987) 162 CLR 479 Bayley v Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway Co (1872) LR 7 CP 415 Burnie Port Authority v General Jones Pty Limited (1994) 179 CLR 520 Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited v Producers and Citizens Co-Operative Assurance Co of Australia Ltd (1931) 46 CLR 41 Dalton v Angus (1881) 6 App Cas 740 Darling Island Stevedoring and Lighterage Co Ltd v Long (1957) 97 CLR 36. Frank Perre v Apand Pty Ltd [1999] HCA 36 CASES CITED: Glasgow Corporation v Muir [1943] AC 448 Jaensch v Coffey (1984) 155 CLR 549 Kondis v State Transport Authority (1984) 154 CLR 672 Northern Sandblasting Pty Limited v Harris (1997) 188 CLR 313 Roads and Traffic Authority v Scroop (1998) 28 MVR 233 Stevens v Brodribb Sawmilling Co Pty Limited (1986) 160 CLR 16 Swinton v The China Mutual Steam Navigation Co Limited (1951) 83 CLR 553 Torette House Pty Limited v Berkman (1939) 39 SR (NSW) 156 Vabu Pty Limited v Commissioner of Taxation (unreported) 6 September 1996 DECISION : Appeal dismisssed with costs