TURNBULL v. ALM & ANOR [2004] NSWCA 173

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : TURNBULL v. ALM & ANOR [2004] NSWCA 173 HEARING DATE(S) : 02/06/2004 JUDGMENT DATE : 26 August 2004

JUDGMENT OF : Giles JA at 1; Tobias JA at 2; Bryson JA at 3 DECISION : Dismiss appeal by Occupier against Entrant: allow cross-appeals so as to award 50% contribution against City Council; See para [79]

CATCHWORDS : NEGLIGENCE - Occupier's Liability - footpath on private land outside shops at periphery of shopping area - Occupier landlord leased out shops and retained Common Areas including footpath - plaintiff using footpath while shopping after dark tripped and fell in hole 4" wide 6" long 1" deep in otherwise regular concrete footpath - Trial Judge wrongly applied test requiring Occupier to ensure safety - liability reconsidered on facts - challenges to factual findings of Trial Judge considered - City Council repaired footpath inadequately several times - Occupier took no action to repair - negligence found against both and apportioned 50%-50%. LEGISLATION CITED : Evidence Act 1995 s.54 Tame v. State of New South Wales; Annetts v. Australian Stations Pty Ltd (2002) 211 CLR 317 Cafest Holdings Pty Ltd v. Tombleson [2003] NSWCA 210 Australian Safeway Stores Ltd v. Zaluzna (1987) 162 CLR 479 Phillis v. Daly (1988) 15 NSWLR 65 CASES CITED : Wyong Shire Council v. Shirt (1980) 146 CLR 40 Waverley Municipal Council v. Swain [2003] NSWCA 61 David Jones Ltd v. Bates [2001] NSWCA 233 Richmond Valley Council v. Standing [2002] NSWCA 359 Brodie v. Singleton Shire Council; Ghantous v. Hawkesbury Shire Council (2001) 206 CLR 512 Gai Lynette Turnbull - Appellant PARTIES : Gillian Thesere Alm - Respondent/Cross-Appellant The Council of the City of Dubbo - Cross-Respondent FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 40911/2003 J. Maconachie QC and P. Perry - Appellant COUNSEL : L. King SC and P. Regattieri - Respondent/Cross-Appellant P. Arden SC and R. Anthony - Cross-Respondent Ebsworth & Ebsworth - Appellant SOLICITORS : Peacocke, Dickens & Price - Respondent/Cross-Appellant Leitch Hasson Dent - Cross-Respondent