The Nominal Defendant v Wardle [2001] NSWCA 163

Reported Decision : (2001) 33 MVR 502

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : The Nominal Defendant v Wardle [2001] NSWCA 163 FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 40073/00 HEARING DATE(S) : 4/6/01 JUDGMENT DATE : 8 June 2001

The Nominal Defendant PARTIES : Warren John Wardle Fairfield City Council JUDGMENT OF : Mason P at 1; Meagher JA at 2; Fitzgerald AJA at 3

LOWER COURT JURISDICTION : District Court LOWER COURT 3086/96 FILE NUMBER(S) : LOWER COURT Hosking DCJ JUDICIAL OFFICER :

Mr J Hislop QC with Ms P. Gormly (App) Mr M Aldridge SC with Mr. A J Lidden COUNSEL : (Resp 1) Mr R McIlwaine SC with Mr W Reynolds (Resp 2) Henry Davis York SOLICITORS : Brydens McCabes. CATCHWORDS : Negligence - collision on local authority land between uninsured & unregistered trail bikes - action against Nominal Defendant - "Public street" - delay - action out of time - significant prejudice - refusal of leave to commence proceedings. LEGISLATION CITED : Motor Accidents Act 1988 Boyton v The Nominal Defendant [1980] 2 NSWLR 509 Holt v Winter (2000) 49 NSWLR 128 CASES CITED: Markwort v The Nominal Defendant [1999] NSWCA 267 Mercantile Mutual Insurance Company Limited v Turner Pty Limited (1982) 1 NSWLR 728 Schubert v Lee (195) 71 CLR 589 DECISION : The Nominal Defendant's appeal against the judgment in favour of Wardle is allowed with costs. The Nominal Defendant's appeal against the dismissal of its cross-claim against the Council is dismissed with costs. Parties to bring in short minutes.