Elliott v Bickerstaff [1999] NSWCA 453

Reported Decision : 48 NSWLR 214

New South Wales Court of Appeal CITATION : Elliott v Bickerstaff [1999] NSWCA 453 FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 40205/98 HEARING DATE(S) : 30 March 1999 and 5 November 1999 JUDGMENT DATE : 16 December 1999

PARTIES : Appellant - Peter Elliott Respondent - Maree Elizabeth Bickerstaff JUDGMENT OF : Handley JA at 1; Stein JA at 2; Giles JA at 3

LOWER COURT JURISDICTION : District Court LOWER COURT FILE NUMBER(S) : DC 70095/94 LOWER COURT JUDICIAL OFFICER : Patten DCJ

COUNSEL : Appellant - D J Higgs SC Respondent - A R W Fennell SOLICITORS : Appellant - Minter Ellison, Sydney Respondent - Brennan Blair & Tipple, Gosford CATCHWORDS : NEGLIGENCE - medical practitioner - swab left in patient - theatre staff keeping count - surgeon not personally negligent - res ipsa loquitur inapplicable - whether surgeon responsible for default of theatre staff because owed non-delegable duty of care - no, because extent of surgeon's duty of care entitled him to rely on theatre staff. DECISION : (1) Appeal allowed and cross-appeal dismissed; (2) Verdict and judgment for the plaintiff and order that defendant pay the plaintiff's costs set aside, and in lieu thereof verdict for the defendant and order that the plaintiff pay the defendant's costs; (3) Respondent to pay the appellant's costs of the appeal but to have a certificate under the Suitors Fund Act if qualified.

THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES COURT OF APPEAL

CA 40205/98 DC 70095/94 HANDLEY JA STEIN JA GILES JA

Thursday 16 December 1999

ELLIOTT v BICKERSTAFF JUDGMENT