University of Western Sydney v Middlebrook [2003] NSWCA 250

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : University of Western Sydney v Middlebrook [2003] NSWCA 250 revised - 15/09/2003 HEARING DATE(S) : 20/06/03 JUDGMENT DATE : 9 September 2003

JUDGMENT OF : Meagher JA at 1; Ipp JA at 11; McColl JA at 12 DECISION : Appeal dismissed with costs.

CATCHWORDS : NEGLIGENCE: Liability of employer - Departure (or non-departure) from employer's recommended system of work - Extent of employer's duty to take measures preventative of danger - Inherent risk of injury - Adequacy of trial judge's reasons. Sheen v Fields Pty Ltd (1984) 58 ALJR 93 Vozza v Tooth & Co Limited (1965) 112 CLR 316 Bankstown Foundry Pty Limited v Braistina (1986) 160 CLR 301 Bendix Mintex Pty Limited v Barnes (1997) 42 NSWLR 307 Seltsam v McGuiness (2000) 49 NSWLR 262 Beale v Government Insurance Office of NSW (1997) 48 NSWLR 430 CASES CITED : Jones v Bradley [2003] NSWCA 41 Modbury Triangle Shopping Centre Pty Limited v Anzil (2000) 205 CLR 254 McLean's Roylen Cruises Pty Limited V McEwan (1984) 58 ALJR 423 Neill v NSW Fresh Foods & Ice Pty Limited (1963) 108 CLR 362 Rockdale Beef Pty Limited v Carey [2003] NSWCA 132 Naxakis v Western General Hospital & Anor (1988) 197 CLR 269 Chappel v Hart (1988) 195 CLR 232 Wilsher v Essex Area Health Authority [1988] AC 1074 University of Western Sydney PARTIES : v Ronald Noel Middlebrook FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 40805 of 2002 COUNSEL : A: L King SC & R Wood R: A C Bridge SC & E Cos SOLICITORS : A: Abbott Tout Solicitors R: Long Howland Houston Solicitors