RTA v Welling & AnorRTA v Comerford & Ors [2003] NSWCA 14

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : RTA v Welling & AnorRTA v Comerford & Ors [2003] NSWCA 14 HEARING DATE(S) : 04/12/02 JUDGMENT DATE : 12 February 2003

JUDGMENT OF : Meagher JA at 1; Handley JA at 20; Sheller JA at 30 DECISION : 1. That the decision and orders of Hunter J of 20-23/11/01 be set aside; 2. That the report of the Hon John Brownie QC and Mr Geoffrey Verge dated 30/09/99 be adopted in full; 3. That the Respondents pay the Appellant's costs of the reference before Messrs Brownie and Verge and of the proceedings before Justice Hunter for adoption of the report; 4. That the Respondents pay the Appellant's costs of the Appeal.

CATCHWORDS : Misfeasance - liability of highway authorities for non-feasance - failure to plead non-feasance at trial. LEGISLATION CITED : Part 72 Rule 13 Supreme Court Rules Brodie v Singleton (2001) 75 ALJR 992 Piening v Wanless (1968) 117 CLR 498 Eggins v Brooms Head Bowling & Recreation Club Ltd (1986) 5 NSWLR 521 at 524-525 Super Pty Ltd v SJP Formwork (Aust) Pty Ltd (1992) 29 NSWLR 549 at 558-9 CASES CITED : Buckley v Bennell Design & Constructions Pty Ltd (1978) 140 CLR 1 at 15 Maxwell v Murphy (1957) 96 CLR 261 Yew Bon Tew v Kenderaan Bas Mara [1983] 1 AC 553 Lemm v Mitchell [1912] AC 400, 405-6 Fisher v Ruislip-Northwood UDC [1945] KB 584 CA PARTIES : Roads & Traffic Authority of New South Wales v Gerhardus Hendrikus Welling & Anor Roads & Traffic Authority of New South Wales v William Kevin Comerford & 2 Ors FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 41030 of 2001; 41031 of 2001 A: M Rudge SC & D Robertson COUNSEL : 1R: In Person 2R: S Reuben & G Pesce A: I V Knight Crown Solicitor SOLICITORS : 1R: N/A 2R: Cordato Partners