Holbrook v Beresford [2003] NSWCA 15

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : Holbrook v Beresford [2003] NSWCA 15 HEARING DATE(S) : 16/12/02 JUDGMENT DATE : 12 February 2003

JUDGMENT OF : Meagher JA at 1; Stein JA at 18; Santow JA at 19 DECISION : 1. Appeal allowed; 2. Order of verdict below set aside; 3. In lieu of orders below order that the defendant pay the plaintiff the sum of $342,581.98; 4. Order for the defendant to pay the costs below and of the appeal.

CATCHWORDS : Damages - s.79A Motor Accidents Act 1988 - application of test in s.79A. LEGISLATION CITED : s.79A Motor Accidents Act 1988 PARTIES : Lee Holbrook (nee Fulton) v Garth Beresford FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 40849 of 2001 COUNSEL : A: Dr A Morrison SC & D Russell R: Mr J D Hislop QC & G Bellew SOLICITORS : A: Fraser Clancy Lawyers R: Blake Dawson Waldron

LOWER COURT District Court JURISDICTION : LOWER COURT DC 7486 of 1999 FILE NUMBER(S) : LOWER COURT Gamble ADCJ JUDICIAL OFFICER :

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES COURT OF APPEAL CA 40849 of 2001

MEAGHER JA STEIN JA SANTOW JA

Wednesday, 12 February 2002 LEE HOLBROOK (nee FULTON) v GARTH BERESFORD

FACTS

The appellant (the plaintiff below) was injured in a motorcar accident when passenger in a vehicle driven carelessly by the respondent. In the District Court, the appellant claimed damages in the region of $507,849.00. Judgment was entered in her favour, for the lesser sum of $148,246.68, whereupon she appealed to the Court of Appeal.