Screenco Pty Limited v R L Dew Pty Limited & Anor [2003] NSWCA 319

Reported Decision : 58 NSWLR 720

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : Screenco Pty Limited v R L Dew Pty Limited & Anor [2003] NSWCA 319 HEARING DATE(S) : 13 June 2003 JUDGMENT DATE : 14 November 2003

JUDGMENT OF : Handley JA at 1; Sheller JA at 53; Tobias JA at 57 DECISION : Appeal dismissed with costs

CATCHWORDS : DAMAGES - Whether trial judge should have awarded interest on the capital value of chattels lost due to the negligence of the defendants in circumstances where the plaintiff had not paid for the chattels - Whether loss real or theoretical - Whether the fact that the plaintiffs had not paid the purchase price for the chattels relevant to award of interest - Supreme Court Act, s94 - D Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934, s3 Supreme Court Act 1970, s94 LEGISLATION CITED : Consumer Credit Act 1974 (UK) Fair Trading Act 1985 (Vic) Workers Compensation Act (1926) (NSW), s16 Supreme Court Act 1986 (Vic), s60 Settree v Roberts [1982] 1 NSWLR 649 Grincelis v House (2000) 201 CLR 321 MBP(SA) Pty Limited v Gogic (1991) 171 CLR 657 Bachelor v Burke (1981) 148 CLR 448 Fire and All Risks Insurance Co Ltd v Callinan (1978) 140 CLR 427 Pheeney v Doolan (No 2) (1977) 1 NSWLR 601 Ruby v Marsh (1975) 132 CLR 642 John Fairfax & Sons v Kelly (1987) 8 NSWLR 131 Haines v Bendall (1991) 172 CLR 60 Victorian Workcover Authority v Esso Australia Ltd (2001) 207 CLR 520 Star v O'Brien (1996) 40 NSWLR 695 The Kong Magnus (1891) P223 The Kate (1899) P 161 The Northumbria (1869), 3 Ad. & Ecc. 6 Liesbosch Dredger v SS Edison (1933) AC 449 R W Miller & Co Pty Limited v The Ship Patris (1975) 1 NSWLR 704 Jefford v Gee (1970) 2 QB 130 The Mecca (1968) P665 H Cousins & Co Ltd v D&C Carriers Ltd (1971) 2 QB 230 Harbutt's "Plasticine" Ltd v Wayne Tank & Pump Co Ltd (1970) 1 QB 447 CASES CITED : Metal Box Co Ltd v Currys Ltd (1988) 1 WLR 175 The Marpessa [1907] AC 241 Admiralty Commissioners v S. S. Chekiang [1926] AC 637 Kwanchi Pty Ltd v Kocsis (1996) 40 NSWLR 270 The Racine [1906] P 273 The Greta Holme [1897] AC 596 Anthanasopoulos v Moseley (2001) 52 NSWLR 262 Admiralty Commissioners v S S Valeria [1922] 2 AC 242 The Edison [1932] P 52 Giles v Thompson [1994] 1 AC 142 Dimond v Lovell [2002] 1 AC 384 Donelly v Joyce [1974] QB 454 Griffiths v Kerkemeyer (1997) 139 CLR 161 Parry v Cleaver [1970] AC 1 Kars v Kars (1996) 187 CLR 354 Hunt v Severs [1992] 2 AC 350 Bradburn v The Great Western Railway Co (1874) LR 10 Exch 1 Manser v Spry (1994) 181 CLR 428 Paff v Speed (1961) 105 CLR 549 Jones v Gleeson (1965) 39 ALJR 258 Redding v Lee (1983) 151 CLR 117 Commonwealth of Australia v Amann Aviation Pty Ltd (1991) 174 CLR 64 A: Screenco Pty Limited PARTIES : 1R: R L Dew Pty Limited 2R: Ronald Steele t/as Dragon Scaffolding FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 41139/02 A: Mr Newlinds / E.M. Frizell COUNSEL : 1R: J. Turnbull 2R: P Taylor/M.W. Sneddon A: Michell Sillar SOLICITORS : 1R: McCabe Terrill 2R: Deacons