Yared v Glenhurst Gardens [2002] NSWSC 11

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Yared v Glenhurst Gardens [2002] NSWSC 11 CURRENT JURISDICTION: Equity FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 4605/99 HEARING DATE(S) : 30 & 31 July, 1, 2, 6, 16 & 17 August 2001 JUDGMENT DATE : 28 February 2002

PARTIES : Phyllis Yared (P & XD) Glenhurst Gardens Pty Ltd (D & XC) JUDGMENT OF : Austin J

COUNSEL : V R W Gray (P & XD) P Deakin QC and P Dodson (D & XC) SOLICITORS : Denes Ebner (P & XD) Curwood & Partners (D & XC) CATCHWORDS : TORT - nuisance and negligence - occupier's duty in respect of natural hazard on its land - whether occupier of higher land has duty, enforceable by mandatory injunction, to reinstate retaining wall - whether occupier of higher land took adequate steps to avoid collapse of wall - whether occupier of higher land negligent in removing plants - whether occupier of lower land negligent in failing to maintain retaining wall - REAL PROPERTY - whether easement for support of Torrens land arose by prescription LEGISLATION CITED : Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW) s 177 Real Property Act 1900 (NSW) s 45C Anthony v Commonwealth (1973) 47 AJLR 83 Australian Hi-Fi Publications Pty Ltd v Gehl [1979] 2 NSWLR 618 Broder v Saillard (1876) LR 2 Ch 692 Chapel v Hart (1998) 195 CLR 232 Dalton v Henry Angus & Co (1881) 6 App Cas 740 Delohery v Permanent Trustee Co of New South Wales (1904) 1 CLR 283 Dobbie v Davidson (1991) 23 NSWLR 625 Donoghue v Stevenson [1932] AC 562 Goldman v Hargrave [1967] AC 645 (Privy Council); (1963) 110 CLR 40 (High Court) Gunnedah Shire Council v Hansen (Supreme Court of New South Wales, Powell J, unreported, 12 August 1993) Insurance Commissioner v Joyce (1948) 77 CLR 39 Kebewar Pty Ltd v Harkin (1987) 9 NSWLR 738 CASES CITED : Kostos v Devitt [1979] ACLD 516 Lawlor v Johnston [1905] VLR 714 Leakey v National Trust [1980] 1 QB 485 March v Stramare (1991) 171 CLR 706 Milne v James (1910) 13 CLR 168 Morgan v Lake Macquarie City Council (New South Wales Court of Appeal, unreported, 2 September 1993) Permanent Trustee Co of New South Wales (1904) 1 CLR 283 Redland Bricks Ltd v Morris [1970] AC 652 Richardson v Browning (1936) 31 Tas LR 78 Rylands v Fletcher (1868) LR 3 HL 330 Sedleigh-Denfield v O'Callaghan [1940] AC 880 Union Lighterage Co v London Graving Dock Co [1902] 2 Ch 557 Webb v Bird (1861) 10 CB (NS) 268 Wilkins v Leighton [1932] 2 Ch 106 DECISION : See under heading 'Conclusions'