Leichhardt Municipal Council -v-Green [2004] NSWCA 139

Reported Decision : (2004) Aust Torts Reports 81-753

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : Leichhardt Municipal Council -v-Green [2004] NSWCA 139 HEARING DATE(S) : 27 April 2004 JUDGMENT DATE : 20 May 2004

JUDGMENT OF : Santow JA at 1; Bryson AJA at 2; Stein AJA at 3 DECISION : Appeal allowed with costs and judgment of District Court set aside. In lieu thereof, a verdict for the defendant with costs. If otherwise qualified, the respondent should have a certificate under the Suitors Fund Act, 1915.

CATCHWORDS : Respondent injured stepping from cabin of truck into pothole - liability -negligence- manner of alighting from truck - whether injury caused by council's negligence - whether duty of care owed by council - whether duty breached Brodie v Singleton Shire Council (2001) 206 CLR 512 Burwood Council v Byrnes [2002] NSWCA 343; Ghantous v Hawkesbury City Council [2000] 206 CLR 512; Hawkesbury City Council v Ryan [2001] NSWCA 212; CASES CITED : Hoyts v Byrnes (2003) 201 ALR 470; Lake Macquarie City Council v Bottomley (1999) 103 LGERA 77 Makita v Sprowles (2001) 52 NSWLR 705; Richmond Valley Council v Standing [2002] NSWCA 35, Parramatta County Council v Watkins [2001] NSWCA 364; RTA v McGuiness [2002] NSWCA 201 Waverley Municipal Council v Wagner [2002] NSWCA 10. LEICHHARDT MUNICIPAL COUNCIL: Appellant PARTIES : Kevin Anthony GREEN: Respondent

FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 40448/03 COUNSEL : D DAVIES SC/ K M GUILFOYLE (Appellant) P. WEBB QC/ P R STERNBERG (Respondent) SOLICITORS : Phillips Fox (Appellant) Elias Gates and Associates (Respondent)