Rauk v Transtate Pty Ltd; Restile Pty Ltd v Transtate Pty Ltd [2000] NSWSC 1020

Reported Decision : (2001) Aust Torts Reports 81-592

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Rauk v Transtate Pty Ltd; Restile Pty Ltd v Transtate Pty Ltd [2000] NSWSC 1020 FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 21142/95; 20624/96 HEARING DATE(S) : 28/8/00, 29/8/00, 30/8/00, 31/8/00, 4/9/00, 5/9/00, 6/9/00, 7/9/00, 8/9/00, 30/10/00. JUDGMENT DATE : 3 November 2000

PARTIES : Peter Rauk v Transtate Pty Ltd; Restile Pty Ltd v Transtate Pty Ltd JUDGMENT OF : O'Keefe J

Mr M Joseph SC/Mr R Goodridge - For Plaintiff COUNSEL : Mr D Nock QC/Ms S Piedade - For defendant Mr C Hoeben SC - For cross-defendant For Plaintiff Firths Sydney

For Defendant SOLICITORS : Hunt & Hunt Sydney

For Cross-Defendant Hickson Wisewoulds Sydney CATCHWORDS : Negligence - Statutory duty - Building and construction - Employer and employee - Independent contractor - factors to distinguish - Duty of care to independent contractor - Application of regulations to head contractor - Breach of statutory duty - Contributory negligence - Person who if sued would be liable - Coextensive duties owed to and by company and employee/controller of company and operations - Circuity of action - Action per quod servitum amisit - Measure of damages - Damages Law Reform (Miscellaneous) Provisions Act, 1946 LEGISLATION CITED : Construction Safety Act, 1912 Scaffolding and Lifts Act, 1912 Factories and Shops Act, 1912 Vabu Pty Limited v Commissioner of Taxation (1996) 81 IR 150 at 153 Stevens v Brodribb Sawmilling Co Pty Limited (1985-1986) 160 CLR 16 Vozza v Tooth & Co Ltd (1964) 112 CLR 316 Mummery v Irvings Pty Ltd (1956) CLR 99 McLean v Tedman (1984) 155 CLR 306 Shedlezki v Bronte Bakery Pty Limited (1968-1970) 72 SR (NSW) 378 Eastern Extension, Australasia and China Telegraph Co Ltd v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1923-24) 33 CLR 426 Andrews v The Nominal Defendant (1963) SR (NSW) 110 Attorney General for NSW v Perpetual trustee Co Ltd (1951-52) 85 CLR 237 Attorney General fo rNSW v Perpetual Trustee Co Ltd (1955) AC 457 at 483 CASES CITED : Hall v Hollander (1825) 4 B&C 660 Hodsoll v Stallebrass (1840) 11 Ad & E1 301 Curran v Young (1965) 112 CLR 99 Inland Revenue commissioner v Hambrook (1956) 2 QB 641 Mallett v Dunn (1949) 2 KB 180 Husher v Husher (1998-1999) 197 CLR 138 Coniglio v Compressed Yeast Co (NSW) Pty Limited (1964) 82 WN (Pt 1) (NSW) 165 Davey v Skinner (1961) SR (NSW) 648 Buckman and Son Pty Ltd v Flanagan (1974-1975) 133 CLR 422 O'Reilly v Commonwealth Hostels Limited (1964-65) NSWR at 686 Hetherington v Mirvac Pty Limited & Ors (1999) NSWSC 443, unreported 12 May 1999 Conley v Minehan (1999) NSWCA 432, unreported 25 November 1999 DECISION : Action No. 21142/95: 1. There will be a verdict for the plaintiff, Peter Rauk, against the defendant, Transtate Pty Ltd, for $1,963,933.00 and judgment accordingly. 2. The defendant is to pay the plaintiff's costs on a party and party basis up to 26 July, 2000 and thereafter on an indemnity basis subject to the plaintiff paying on a party and party basis the costs of the defendant and cross defendant thrown away in consequence of the adjournments on 1 and 4 September, 2000. 3. There will be a verdict for the cross-defendant, Restile Pty Limited, on the cross-claim by the defendant, Transtate Pty Ltd, and judgment accordingly. 4. The defendant is to pay the costs of the cross-defendant incurred after 5 February, 1998 on an indemnity basis and costs prior to that date on a party and party basis. Action No. 20624/96 : 1. There will be a verdict for the defendant, Transtate Pty Ltd, against the plaintiff, Restile Pty Ltd, and judgment accordingly. 2. The plaintiff, Restile Pty Ltd, is to pay the defendant's costs. I indicate that virtually no time was spent at the hearing in evidence in relation to the action No.20624/96 and only a minor amount of time was spent in relation to the argument concerning that action.