Matchan v. Lyons [2003] NSWCA 384

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : Matchan v. Lyons [2003] NSWCA 384 HEARING DATE(S) : 8 December 2003 JUDGMENT DATE : 22 December 2003

JUDGMENT OF : Hodgson JA at 1; Cripps AJA at 9; Palmer J at 10 DECISION : 1. Appeal allowed. 2. Verdict and judgment in the District Court be set aside and in lieu thereof a verdict and judgment be entered for the respondent in the sum of $431,716.80. 3. The respondent is to pay the appellant's costs of the appeal but is to receive a certificate under the Suitors' Fund Act 1951 (NSW), if otherwise entitled.

CATCHWORDS : NEGLIGENCE - CAUSATION - DAMAGES - Whether evidence sufficient to support finding that plaintiff's injuries caused by accident - future economic loss - unpaid domestic assistance - paid domestic assistance. LEGISLATION CITED : Motor Accidents Act 1988 (NSW) s.72 Commonwealth v Amann Aviation Pty Ltd (1991) 174 CLR 64 CSR Limited v. Clydesdale [2003] NSWCA 339 Geaghan v D'Aubert [2002] NSWCA 260 Jones v Schiffmann (1971) 124 CLR 303 Mifsud v Campbell (1991) 21 NSWLR 725 Pettitt v Dunkley [1971] 1 NSWLR 376 CASES CITED : Public Service Board (NSW) v Osmond (1986) 159 CLR 656 Purkess v Crittenden (1965) 114 CLR 164 Roads & Traffic Authority of NSW v. Lolomanaia (2001) 34 MVR 249 Shorey v PT Ltd (2003) 77 ALJR 1104 State of New South Wales v Moss (2000) 54 NSWLR 536 Van Girvan v. Fenton (1992) 175 CLR 327 Watts v Rake (1960) 108 CLR 158 Winston v Roach [2003] NSWCA 310 PARTIES : Rhys Evan Matchan - appellant Geoffrey James Lyons - respondent FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 40178/03 COUNSEL : Mr. C. Hoeben SC for appellant with Ms. K. Williams for appellant Mr. C. Branson QC for respondent with Mr. J. Stewart and Mr. A. Foel for respondent SOLICITORS : Phillips Fox, Sydney for appellant Harris Lieberman Boyd, Albury for resondent