State of New South Wales & Anor v Thomas; State of New South Wales & Anor v Welling [2004] NSWCA 52

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : State of New South Wales & Anor v Thomas; State of New South Wales & Anor v Welling [2004] NSWCA 52 revised - 14/04/2004 HEARING DATE(S) : 4 February 2004 JUDGMENT DATE : 9 March 2004

JUDGMENT OF : Handley JA at 1; Beazley JA at 73; Stein AJA at 74 DECISION : CA 41119/02 1. Appeal allowed with costs.; 2. Direct that the statement of claim be amended by adding the words "and at common law" at the end of paragraph 3.; 3. Judgment for the plaintiff in the District Court (644 of 2001) set aside and in lieu thereof substitute judgment for the plaintiff for $33,835.75 with effect from the date of judgment in this Court. The defendants are to pay the plaintiff's costs of the trial.; 4. The respondent to have a certificate under the Suitors' Fund Act.; CA 41118/02 1. Appeal allowed with costs.; 2. Direct that the statement of claim be amended by adding the words "and at common law" at the end of paragraph 3.; 3. Judgment for the plaintiff in the District Court (2642 of 2001) set aside and in lieu thereof substitute judgment for the plaintiff for $57,168.10 with effect from the date of judgment in this Court. The defendants are to pay the plaintiff's costs of the trial.; 4. The respondent to have a certificate under the Suitors' Fund Act.

CATCHWORDS : APPEAL and NEW TRIAL - amendments allowable on appeal - prejudice - onus of proof - conduct of trial - PLEADING - relief available to successful party limited by pleadings - D LEGISLATION CITED : Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1944 s 4(1)(b) Supreme Court Act 1970 Anderson v Liddy (1949) 49 SR (NSW) 320 Balenzuela v De Gail (1959) 101 CLR 226 Banque Commerciale SA, En Liquidation v Akhil Holdings Ltd (1990) 169 CLR 279 Bennett v Minister for Community Welfare (1992) 176 CLR 408 Bonnington Castings Ltd v Wardlaw [1956] AC 613 CASES CITED : Dare v Pulham (1982) 148 CLR 658 Leotta v Public Transport Commission of New South Wales (1976) 50 ALJR 666 Marinko v Masri [2000] Australian Tort Reports 64201 McGhee v National Coal Board [1973] 1 WLR 1 Mummery v Irvings Pty Ltd (1956) 96 CLR 99 Water Board v Moustakas (1988) 180 CLR 491 CA 41118/02 State of New South Wales (First Appellant) Corrections Health Service (Second Appellant) Leanne Nanci Thomas (Respondent) PARTIES : CA41119/02 State of New South Wales (First Appellant) Corrections Health Service (Second Appellant) Donna Sheree Welling (Respondent) FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 41118/02; 41119/02 COUNSEL : J D Hislop QC/P R Sternberg (Appellants) S C Campbell SC/D M Wilson (Respondents) SOLICITORS : I V Knight Crown Solicitor's Office (Appellants) Marsden Law Group (Respondents)