TIMBS v SHOALHAVEN CITY COUNCIL [2004] NSWCA 81

Reported Decision : 132 LGERA 397 (2004) Aust Torts Reports 81-738

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : TIMBS v SHOALHAVEN CITY COUNCIL [2004] NSWCA 81 HEARING DATE(S) : 3 March 2004 JUDGMENT DATE : 1 April 2004

JUDGMENT OF : Mason P at 1; Sheller JA at 2; Hodgson JA at 95 DECISION : 1 Appeals allowed; 2 Notice of contention dismissed; 3 Set aside the verdicts for the Council in actions 7547/01 and 7549/01; 4 In lieu thereof in action 7547/01 verdict for the plaintiff in the sum of $202,685 and in action 7547/01 verdict for the plaintiff in the sum of $541,091, each to date from 4 December 2002; 5 The Council to pay the plaintiff's costs of the proceedings before Judge Nash and of this appeal; 6 The Council to have a certificate under the Suitors' Fund Act 1951 if so qualified.

CATCHWORDS : Duty of care - public authority - deceased killed by falling tree- whether breach due to inadequate inspection of tree by Council officer - higher standard of care due to professed expertise - whether Council officer in fact attended property Compensation to Relatives Act 1897 LEGISLATION CITED : Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979 Environmental Planning & Assessment Act Model Provisions 1980 Local Government Act 1993 Cameron v Lake Macquarie City Council (2000) 107 LGERA 308 Fox v Percy [2003] 77 ALJR 989 Graham Barclay Oysters Pty Ltd v Ryan (2002) 211 CLR 540 CASES CITED : Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298 Newcastle City Council v Shortland Management Services (2003) 57 NSWLR 173 Pyrenees Shire Council v Day (1998) 192 CLR 330 Shaw Savill & Albion Co v The Commonwealth (1940) 66 CLR 244 Sutherland Shire Council v Heyman (1985) 157 CLR 42 PARTIES : Carlene Timbs - Appellant Shoalhaven City Council - Respondent FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 40706/03 COUNSEL : D F Jackson QC / R I Goodridge - Appellant D L Davies SC / P M Sibtain - Respondent SOLICITORS : Firths - The Compensation Lawyers - Appellant Phillips Fox - Respondent