Sierra v Anikin [2003] NSWCA 11

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : Sierra v Anikin [2003] NSWCA 11 HEARING DATE(S) : 13/09/2002 JUDGMENT DATE : 7 February 2003

JUDGMENT OF : Beazley JA at 1; Heydon JA at 17; Santow JA at 18 DECISION : 1. The appeal is allowed; 2. The orders of the Trial Judge are set aside; 3. In lieu thereof, the Respondent's proceedings are dismissed; 4. The Respondent is to pay the costs of the appellant below and in this Court; 5. The Respondent is to have a certificate under the Suitors Fund Act 1951 if qualified.

CATCHWORDS : NEGLIGENCE - pedestrian accident - whether driver and employer liable for injuries sustained by pedestrian in motor vehicle accident - whether evidential basis to support a finding of negligence against the driver - NEGLIGENCE - assessment of contributory negligence - whether apportionment at first instance should be set aside because of manifest error Derrick v Cheung (2001) 181 ALR 301 Luxton v Vines (1952) 85 CLR 352 Nominal Defendant v Owens (1978) 22 ALR 128 Phillis v Daly (1988) 15 NSWLR 65 CASES CITED : Podrebersek v Australian Iron & Steel Pty Ltd (1985) 59 ALR 529 Schieb v Abbott (1999) 27 MVR 285 Tabvena v Oag ([2002] NSWCA 313, 24 September 2002, unreported) Transport Investment Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Longmuir [1997] 1 VR 125 Warren v Coombs (1979) 142 CLR 531 Alfonso Sierra (First Appellant) PARTIES : State Transit Authority (Second Appellant) Serge Anikin (Respondent) FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 40271/02 COUNSEL : K P Rewell, SC/ A R Beardow (Appellants) C C Branson, QC/ I S McLachlan (Respondent) SOLICITORS : Keddies (Appellants) Warren & Warren (Respondent)